Vivian I. Bolen

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Vivian I. Bolen, 94, of Wakefield, entered into eternal life on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at the Aspirus Ironwood Hospital in Ironwood, surrounded by her loving family.

The former Vivian Irene Grayson was born on Feb. 5, 1931, in Wakefield, a daughter of Claude John and Eva Josephine (Smith) Grayson. She spent her childhood in Wakefield, growing up in Thomaston Location. Vivian attended the Wakefield school system and achieved her GED from Wakefield High School.

It was on a taxi ride from Thomaston into town where Vivian met her taxi driver, William E. Bolen, who would become her husband of 61 years. William and Vivian were married on Oct. 2, 1948, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wakefield.

Following her marriage to William, she took care of their family home as a devoted mother and homemaker. At the Bolen home, Vivian was best known for her incredible baking and cooking, alongside being a mother to her and William's six children. The Bolen household was also a popular spot for family get-togethers, birthday parties and annual Christmas Eve parties which filled her home with generations of relatives. Vivian was an excellent hostess who loved visiting with family and friends. Vivian's life revolved around her family and she created lasting memories with them.

Vivian was a lifelong member of All Saints Lutheran Church in Wakefield and was a strong believer in the Lutheran faith. In later years, she routinely tuned in to church services on her radio each Sunday.

Vivian is survived by six children, Gloria (David) Pleshe, Susan (Gary) Gustafson, Richard (Colleen) Bolen, Thomas (Elaine) Bolen, Jacquelynn (Mark) Truckey and Kristina (Mark Weisbrot) Bolen Rutkowski; 16 grandchildren, Jana (Doug) Reppond, Angela Pleshe, Katie (Mark) Rounds, Carly (Wayne) Freund, Gary (Sam) Gustafson, Kari Gustafson, Jason (Stephanie) Gustafson, Patrick Bolen, James (Amy) Bolen, Thomas (Beth Teach) Bolen Jr., Marcus (Randi) Bolen, Liana (Sean) Annand, Genevieve (Rip Hebron) Truckey, Marguerite Truckey, Cassy (Casey Holub) Ransanici and Cherise Rutkowski; and 27 great-grandchildren, Alex and Katelyn Gustafson, Marissa Taskila, Tarah (Chris) Edberg, Cody Krause, Dusty (Kylee) Krause, Alina and Trace Kolehmainen, Connor and Grayson Kimmes, Iley and Cale Rounds, Cayleigh, Cayge, and Caysen Ransanici, Damon, Isabella, and Vivian Freund, Jayden, Brody, and Lila Edberg, Piper Krause, Avery and Audrey Annand, and Preston, Preslee and Liam Bolen.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and her beloved husband, William, on July 16, 2010.

In honor of her request, the service, interment and luncheon will be private.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.