John Leslie Bossen

1960 - 2023

John Leslie Bossen

RAPID CITY - John Leslie Bossen, 62, died on May 18, 2023, in Rapid City, SD. He was born in Rapid City on November 19, 1960, to Jack and Betty Bossen. Growing up he enjoyed sports and scouting and was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Rapid City Central school in 1979 and achieved a chemical engineering degree from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in 1983.

After graduation John moved to the Seattle area where he was employed by a granite and marble company. John liked working with his hands and enjoyed the precision and artistry of tile work and entered the profession.

While in Washington, he became interested in mountain biking which, in turn, led him to long distance cycling. An avid traveler, John founded a nonprofit organization, Bicycle for Humanity, and enjoyed the people and cultures he encountered while cycling and camping in twenty nations on five continents over a period of 21 months. From The Sacramento Bee: "John's friendly, direct manner bubbles with enthusiasm for the people and cultures he encountered while cycling and camping through 20 nations in West Africa, Mediterranean Europe, Turkey, Australia and Southeast Asia."

Afterwards, John returned to Rapid City and started his own business, John Bossen Tile. When he could, he continued to bike extensively world-wide, and it was while biking in India that he met his wife, Michele Surber. They lived in Michele's home country, Switzerland, for a short while before moving to Rapid City. They were married February 26, 2010, in Canyon Lake Park. They had three cats, Cheeqie, Shila, and Lucky.

Upon his return, John continued to do artisan tile work, but retired to go to work for Cask and Cork where he was a route driver in the northern Black Hills.

In December 2022, he was diagnosed with late-stage cancer. He fought with determination and grit before succumbing. His friendliness, quick wit, and world-greeting smile will be deeply missed. He is survived by his: wife, Michele Surber; his in-laws, Francois and Marianna Surber; his father, Francis "Jack" Bossen; siblings Michael Bossen of Rapid City; Betty Meyer and her husband, Randy, of Pleasant Grove, UT; Janice "Kate" Bossen of Lamont, IA; Charles "Chuck" Bossen and his wife, Holly, of Rapid City; nephews and nieces, Christopher Bossen, Spencer Meyer, Andrea Crossman, Erin Madden, Catherine Eldridge, Max Bossen, Pat Bossen; and his great nephew, James Madden. He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth "Betty" Bossen.

John is deeply missed by his family, friends, and coworkers. He always had a smile and wanted to please everyone. A celebration of life will be held for family and friends at a future date. Please visit the online memorial for John at: www.OsheimSchmidt.com.