Melvin Eugene Bolte was born July 30, 1931, in Seward to Albert and Louise (Lange) Bolte. He was called to his heavenly home on Oct. 1, 2022, in Seward at the age of 91 years, 2 months and 1 day. He lived in Seward his entire life and was admitted into Ridgewood Rehabilitation and Care Center on Feb. 5, 2020.
Mel was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, where he was baptized on Aug. 25, 1931, and confirmed on March 25, 1945. He grew up in Seward, where he attended Seward schools and graduated from Seward High School with the Class of 1949. After graduation, Mel worked with his dad in the petroleum business.
Mel was drafted into the U.S. Army on Feb. 26, 1952. He completed his basic training at Fort Bliss. On July 3, 1952, Mel was united in marriage to Clarice Bartels at Trinity Klein Church in Spring, Texas, and to this union three children were born. While serving at Fort Bliss, he was a member of the 65th Army Band. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 25, 1954.
After his military service, Mel and Clarice returned to Seward, where he continued to work with his dad in the petroleum business. He later took over the business, Bolte Oil and Supply, and owned gas stations in Goehner, Milford, Seward, Utica and Unadilla. After he sold the stations, he continued to sell oil and filters from their bulk plant. He was a member of the Nebraska Petroleum Marketers, serving as president from 1993 to 1995. Mel was devoted to his faith, his family, his church and his community. He was quite the talker and jokester, and never knew a stranger. His life was devoted to serving others, and his death has left a big hole in all our hearts.
Mel played in the Seward Municipal Band from his freshman year of high school until 2015. He played Taps for military funerals for many years. He was a member of the Fire Barn Five-plus, which played at local events, area parades and Czech festivals. He served on the board of the Parks and Rec Department, was a member of the swimming pool committee, a member of Seward’s First Impressions Committee and the Seward Bandshell Renovation Committee. He was a key leader on the Fourth of July committee and shot off the fireworks display for over 50 years. He was the first person to do fireworks in the north stadium at the Husker football games under Coach Callahan. He served on the Foundation Board of Directors for Memorial Health Care Systems from 2005 to 2014.
Mel was instrumental in refurbishing the courthouse chimes as well as the building of the softball fields at Plum Creek Park and the walking path through Plum Creek Park. He was a former member of the Seward Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as secretary and president. He was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church where he served as Sunday school superintendent, an elder, the tape delivery ministry and on the worship board for many years.
Over the years, Mel received numerous awards in recognition of his service including the Good Samaritan Award in 1964, the Seward County Community Service Award in 1973, the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska Award on July 4, 1986, the State of Nebraska Outstanding Festival Volunteer Award in 2000, Concordia University’s Distinguished Service Award to the Seward Community and Beyond in 2005, the 50 Years of Service Award from the Seward Volunteer Fire Department in 2007, the Seward Area Chamber of Commerce Community Spirit Award in 2008, the Seward Area Chamber of Commerce First Impressions Award in 2013, the NCAA Volunteer of Year Award in 2014, and plaques to commemorate 50 Years in the Seward Municipal Band and 50 Years of service on the City of Seward’s Park and Recreation Board in 2015. Mel and Clarice celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at Ridgewood Rehabilitation and Care Center on July 3, 2022.
Mel was preceded in death by his parents and son, Todd Bolte.
Survivors cherishing his memory include his wife of 70 years, Clarice Bolte, Seward; daughter, Melanie Nutt and husband, Bob, Cozad; son, Stan Bolte, Stillwater, Minnesota; seven grandchildren, Amber Cochran and husband, Joey, Kearney, Brandon Ross and wife, Kelsey, Kearney, Michaela Bradshaw and husband, Mark, Cheyenne, Wyoming, Mallory Nutt, Lincoln, Ashley Bolte, Rosemount, Minnesota, Shannon Bolte, Rochester, Minnesota, and Jessica Miller and husband, Tom, Lincoln; eleven great-grandchildren, Carter Cochran, Mackenzie Cochran, Lawson Cochran, Jameson Cochran, Cy Cochran, Austyn Ross, Kannon Ross, Brantley Bradshaw, Lennox Bradshaw, Araya Miller and Evie Miller; one sister, Janice Buchholz, Lincoln; brother-in-law, Vic Bartels, Houston, Texas, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jack and Darlene Bartels, Holly Springs, North Carolina; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Visitation will be from 1 to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9, with the family receiving friends from 3 to 5 p.m. at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home in Seward. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 10, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, with the Rev. David Rempfer officiating. A graveside service and interment will follow in the Seward Cemetery, with military honors by the U.S. Army, Seward VFW Post 4755 and the Seward American Legion Post 33. Last call will be performed by the Seward Volunteer Fire Department. Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. John Lutheran Church Organ Fund or to the Bolte family for future designations. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.zabkafuneralhome.com
