Joe Bohlender 1937-2025
Charles Joseph “Joe” Bohlender, 88, of Olathe, passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Village of Olathe in Olathe.
He was born April 3, 1937, in Guthrie Center, Iowa, the son of Harold Ormal and Thelma Louise (Lundstrom) Bohlender.
Joe proudly served in the United States Air Force for more than 20 years, retiring in 1976. He earned the rank of Tech Sergeant and served during the Vietnam War. After retirement, Joe worked for PRC Kentron, Inc., a contractor with the USAF.
On Sept. 8, 1963, in Colorado Springs, Colo., Joe was united in marriage to Karen Lee Olyer. They shared more than 61 years of marriage. To this union they shared two sons, Bryon and Charles Joseph “Joey” Bohlender Jr.
Joe was a member of First United Methodist Church in Holton.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Charles Joseph “Joey” Bohlender Jr.; and a sister, Betty Billick.
Survivors included his wife, Karen, of the home; a son, Bryon Bohlender of Glenwood Springs, Colo.; a daughter-in-law, Linda Tochtrop of Linwood; a sister, Linda Wolfe (Mike) of Norwalk, Iowa; two brothers, James Bohlender (Lynda) of Guthrie Center, Iowa, and Jack Bohlender (Susan) of Norwalk, Iowa; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17 at First United Methodist Church in Holton. Graveside inurnment with military honors will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery in Topeka.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
