Edward Earl "Ed" Bolton

In Memory of Ed Bolton. Edward Earl Bolton of Nevis passed away on the afternoon of Tuesday, December 30th, 2025. He was 87 years old. Ed was a life-long resident of Hubbard Prairie, having moved to the area along with his family in 1952, from LeMars, Iowa where he was born. He attended Nevis Public School, graduating in 1956. While attending Bemidji State University (then Bemidji State Teachers College) he was known as "Tiger Ed" because of his champion wrestling techniques that took him to the state championships. While earning both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Bemidji, he enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard, as part of the Park Rapids, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd battalion, 136th infantry, where he achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Tiger Ed was married to LuAnn Latterell from Northome, MN with whom he had two sons, Bruce Dennis Bolton and Edward (Skip) Earl Bolton, Jr. He began his teaching career in Silver Lake, Minnesota, then Hopkins, and eventually found his way back to Nevis to teach secondary English, where he taught from 1974 until his retirement. Known for his intellect, wit and physical prowess, he was a favorite teacher for many in the area, and he loved to reminisce and share many fond stories about former students and colleagues at NHS. Along with teaching, he was a successful crop and cattle farmer, adding acreage to his parents' original homestead on the Hubbard Prairie. He was an active attendee and friend to many at the Hubbard United Methodist Church in Hubbard, MN. He was a talented singer who entertained many audiences at weddings and local events, and participated in several local choirs in Nevis, Park Rapids and Hubbard. He was a long-time member of the church choir at the Methodist Church. He later became a prolific actor in local community plays and musicals including supportive and lead roles at the Long Lake Theater in Hubbard. Ed was known for his love of physical fitness starting as a young man and into his eighties. He completed many full marathons and triathlons, and was also known to have run at least a half-marathon of his own making every Sunday. Until he retired from races, he was one of the few Nevis residents who had competed in the Northwoods Triathlon every year since its inception. At the end of his life, he battled with Alzheimer's but remained quick with a joke and a laugh, throughout. Ed is preceded in death by his father Melvin Bolton and Mother Phyllis (Morton) Bolton, and former wife LuAnn Marie Bolton (Latterell), and former in-law Richard Kallio. He is survived by his eldest son, Bruce, a resident of Nevis, and his two daughters, Maeve and Nora, along with his youngest son, Edward (Skip) a resident of Lakeville, Minnesota, his wife Michelle, and children Riley, Ethan and Hazel. Also survived by his sister Mary Jo and husband Jim Sackett, of Nevis, MN and AZ, brother Dennis and wife Eileen Bolton of Park Rapids, MN, sister Alice and husband John Strom of Nevis, MN, and brother Steve and wife Tami Bolton of Nevis, MN. Former in-laws, Arlene Kallio, and Jon and Carol Rhodes. Nephews and Nieces include James, Ronald, Karen, Kathy (Sackett), Katherine, Chris, Melvin, Travis (Bolton), Meghan (Strom), Alice Kay and Nick (Bolton), Margo and Beau Kallio, Reg Rhodes (passed) and Ryan Rhodes (passed.) He loved family and friends, "Bolton Coffees" on Saturday mornings, family reunions and community events. His years were filled with happiness, once remarking to his sons, "When I die I don't need to go to heaven, because I have been living in heaven on earth here on the Hubbard Prairie." With Ed's long history of teaching, farming, singing, acting and exercise, along with his many friendships on the prairie and surrounding area, he has left an indelible legacy on this earth. He will be missed. A celebration of life will be held on February 14th with visitation starting at 1:00PM, at the Hubbard United Methodist Church. All are welcome.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 2:00 pm at the Hubbard Methodist Church in Park Rapids, MN. Visitation will be held for one hour prior at the church. A full obituary will appear shortly.