grave import

Obituary

MARY VIRGINIA BOLANDER, daughter of George Jehiel and Minnie Margaret Vickers Shaw was born November 23, 1931, in Burlington, Iowa and departed this life September 5, 2012, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty years. Mary made a profession of faith in Christ as a young girl and held various positions in the church through the years, including Sunday School teacher, several positions with District of United Methodist Women and served for two years as a Lay Speaker Pastor for Bethal United Methodist Church. Mary later united with First United Methodist Church in Lebanon, where she remained an active and faithful member. The fellowship shared and the prayers received from her church family through the years were very important to her. Mary attended and graduated from Burlington High School in Iowa, in 1949. She then united in marriage with the love of her life James William Bolander, and became a military wife on August 4, 1949. To this union was born three daughters and for the next twenty-two years, they traveled with their family until James retired in 1971, when they moved to Columbia, Missouri. In 1977, they moved to Sturgeon, Missouri, and finally in June of 2009, Mary settled in Lebanon, Missouri, where she remained until her passing. James preceded her in death on June 26, 1989. Although Mary was busy being a devoted mother and wife, as well as actively involved in the church, she also took time to enjoy her favorite hobbies. She loved to read, quilt and make dolls, however, nothing compared to the time spent and memories made with her family. They were most important to her. She leaves to celebrate her memory, two daughters, Lucy Walker and her husband Randy of Belleville, IL and Sue Bolander of Lebanon, MO; one brother, William Clark Shaw of Burlington, Iowa; one grandson, Randy Walker II and his wife Amy; two great-grandchildren, Kennedy Jean Walker and Mick Walker; sisters-in-law, Betty Brockett, Esther Reynolds, Ruby Gott, and Hazel Dixon; brothers-in-law, Wilbur Mesecher, Tom, John, Paul, Wayne and Harry Bolander; other relatives, church family and friends. Mary was also preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter, Mary Elizabeth Bolander; four brothers, Frank, George, Harold and Jack Shaw; three sisters, Katherine Shaw, Ruth Louise. Shaw, and Margaret Mesecher; three brothers-in-law, Albert, Richard and Daniel Bolander; two sisters-in-law, Carol and Reiko Shaw. She was a wonderful mother, caring grandmother, cherished sister and loyal friend. She had an unwavering faith and unconditional love for her family and friends. Our loss was certainly Heaven's gain.