Wallace (Wally) Bolte, 92, Bismarck, passed away June 23, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at the Benedictine Living Community, Bismarck, ND.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, June 29, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Bismarck. The burial will follow at 3:00 PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 28, from 5:00 -7:00 PM at Bismarck Funeral Home with a prayer service and time of sharing beginning at 7:00 PM.
Wally was born on the farm north of Regent, ND, to Anton and Dorothea Bolte on April 9, 1931. He shares a birthday with his twin brother Walter. He was the 9 th of 9 children. He was raised on the farm and attended school in Regent.
At 16, Wally joined the National Guard in Mott. He moved out of the Guard when he enlisted in the Army in November of 1949. After attending Intelligence School, he was sent to Korea. On May 17, 1950, he was promoted to Master Sergeant. He spent one year in Korea. He loved his country and served valiantly earning a bronze star medal and showing great courage in facing life-threatening duty. He was discharged on November 18, 1952.
January 18, 1954, Wally married Dorine Krebs in Richardton, ND, at St. Johns Lutheran Church. They lived in Regent, and he worked for $250/month for Junger Equipment. In 1962 Jungers Equipment became Wally’s Shop when he purchased the building and its contents. He sold Ford cars and always owned a Ford. He was known as one of the best mechanics around. He was so creative and skilled, able to repair anything that came his way. Seven children were born to Wally and Dorine while they lived in Regent. Wally often said those were the best years of his life. At one time he was mayor, fire chief, and president of the Lions Club all at the same time. During those years he designed his own pontoon boats. One time the hitch broke and the family drove home in their green station wagon pulling the boat with one of the pontoons anchored in the back of the car.
In 1976 he joined Kirschmann Manufacturing which later became Creative Products. Wally designed and built water distillers for them and held a patent for a special design. In 2003 he retired.
In 1995 Dorine passed away. In February 1997, he married Darlene Schacher. In 2003 Darlene passed away. Leah Berg has been Wally’s friend and companion for several years.
Wally was active with many patriotic organizations including the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Amvets. He began serving on the Honor Guard in Regent. He captained the Bismarck VFW Honor Guard for 42 years. He estimated he served at over 3000 funerals with his team of veterans. Every year, including this last year, Wally was at the flag-raising of Solheim Elementary School. He’d tell the kids, “This flag is the most important thing we’ve got, so cherish it.” He believed in the country he fought for.
Wally was a faithful member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church.
Wally is survived by his twin brother, Walter. Survivors include his children, Jody Jahner, Bismarck, ND; Patti (Bob) Nordvall, McKenzie, ND; Shag (Tom) Jahner, Dickinson, ND; Brad (Sherry) Bolte, Payson, AZ; Jeff Bolte, Bismarck, ND; Jennifer Stenseth, Grand Forks, ND, and Greta Bolte, Bismarck, ND. Grandchildren include Kari, Michael, Kelly, Daniel, Andy, Alli, Terry, Sarah, Nicole, Jerrick, Jaydyn, Lisa, Jesse, Jeremy, Haleigh, Brandon, Karley, Dani, Tyler, Tori, and Tiana. There are 22 great-grandchildren (with 3 more on the way) and one great-great-grandchild. Survivors also include Wally’s special friend, Leah and her three children, Sherry (ED) Feist, Sharlene (Wayne) Bauer, and Tim (Patty) Wanner and their families with a special mention of Hailey as granddaughter.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to go to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan or the Wounded Warriors Project.
To view the funeral service, please click on the Lord of Life Lutheran Church website, https://www.facebook.com/lordoflifebismarck/live_videos