Olive Bolen

Olive Bolen

TAMA-Olive Evelyn Bolen, 94, of Tama, passed away Saturday, August 1, 2020 at Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, August 7, 2020 at 6:00 PM at Living Faith United Methodist Church with Pastor Jill Mack officiating. Visitation will be held

Friday, August 7, 2020 from 5-6 PM prior to the service at the church. It is recommended that everyone attending wear a mask and social distancing should be practiced as well.

Olive was born on December 6, 1925, in northern Iowa, the daughter of Earl and Estella (Raffety) Van Riper.

She graduated from Grinnell High School and attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

On November 9, 1945, she was united in marriage to Bruce M. Bolen in Ames, Iowa. Olive and Bruce founded and operated Bolen’s Arrowhead B Campground from 1972 until 1985. She was a member of Living Faith United Methodist Church in Tama. She and Bruce had a winter home in Texas that they enjoyed for thirty-two years. Olive also enjoyed square dancing, farming, cooking and baking for family and friends, caring for children and grandchildren and camping with Bruce Sr. The closer she was to him the happier she was.

Survivors include four children, Sally Bone of Birmingham, AL, Bruce (Connie) Bolen Jr. of Greentop, MO, Ben (Jean) Bolen of Tama, and Dave (Ann) Bolen of Tama; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; a very close cousin that lived with them for many years, Ron (Judie) Clayton of Grinnell; and a foreign exchange student, Julio Ambrosio of Argentina.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Bruce M. Bolen Sr. on July 3, 2009; two sisters, Mary Kay and Sarah; one brother, Don; and son-in-law, Bob Bone.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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