Constance “Connie” (Hexom) Bolson, age 96, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Aug. 22, 2020, at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah.
Visitation was at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah.
Private Family Burial was held Aug. 29 at Union Prairie Cemetery in Decorah with Pastor Amy (Zalk) Larson ‘96 officiating.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a Celebration of Life for Connie will be held at a later date.
Constance “Connie” Harriet (Hexom) Bolson was born on May 10, 1924, in Virginia, Minn., the daughter of Rev. William T. Hexom (Luther Class of 1917) and Charlotte T. (Larson) Hexom. She was the second of six children. In 1930, the family moved to Hawkins, Wis., where her father served three churches. Her mom Charlotte was the church organist in Hawkins for her husband while Connie traveled with her dad to the two rural churches and was the organist for him at those churches. In 1939, the family moved to Pleasant Township of Winneshiek County, rural Decorah in Northeast Iowa, where Pastor Hexom served at Big Canoe Lutheran Church for many years. The family lived in the parsonage of Big Canoe Lutheran Church, called Borgen (Castle on the Hill, in Norwegian). Connie graduated from Decorah High School with the Class of 1941. During high school, Connie and her sister Eunice stayed in Decorah during the week with a family to attend school then went home to their on the weekends. Connie then attended Luther College for one year and studied music among her classes.
Connie was united in marriage to Ransome L. Bolson ‘40 on July 12, 1943, at the Big Canoe Lutheran Church. The wedding ceremony was performed by her father, Rev. William Hexom. This union was blessed with five children: Cheryl, Daryl Bolson ‘71, Joeyl, Terry and Loryl.
Connie was an accomplished musician. When she was in school, she played the French horn, the piano and organ. As an adult she gave piano, organ and accordion lessons to many students in the Decorah area at her home. She also played for many church services, weddings, and funerals over the years. She was the main church organist at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Decorah (now Decorah United Church of Christ) for 32 years, retiring in April 2013, a month before her 89th birthday. She and Ransome were charter members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Decorah. Connie was a devout Christian her entire life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. William and Charlotte Hexom, her husband Ransome Bolson ‘40 on Oct. 15, 2010; her son Daryl Bolson ‘71 on Nov. 15, 2014; two sisters, Audrey (Hexom) Jordahl ’48, (Erling Jordahl ‘38) and Eunice (Wilbur) Stoen; two brothers, David Hexom ’51, (Ann) Hexom and Charles (Arlys) Hexom; three sisters-in-law: Vernetta (Robert) Cline, Carol Hexom and Syvilla (Tweed) Bolson ‘49; and her father- and mother-in-law, Lawrence and Violet Bolson.
Connie is survived by one daughter, Cheryl of Decorah; three sons: Joeyl Bolson of Decorah, Terry Bolson of Des Moines, Iowa, and Loryl Bolson of Decorah; one daughter-in-law, Christine Bolson of Lansing, Iowa; five grandchildren: Christopher Bergan of Decorah, Jennifer (Max) Lamb of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Brett Bolson of Van Horne, Iowa, Anna (Dustin) Darling of Van Horne and Matthew Wisher of Ridgeway, Iowa; ten great-grandchildren: Brooke (Lawrence) Lim, Bradley Bergan, Ryan (Christy) Lamb, Alexandra (Trent) Olson, Elliot Lamb, Jay Nissen, Mason Darling, Ryker Darling, Bowen Bolson and Landry Bolson; three great-great granddaughters: Palmer, Imogene and Charlotte; one brother, Paul Hexom ‘61 of Decorah; and one brother-in-law, Marlin Bolson ‘49 of Decorah.
Memorials may be given to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Music Ministry, 701 Iowa Ave., Decorah, IA 52101, Decorah United Church of Christ, c/o Petra Circle, 209 W. Broadway St., Decorah, IA 52101, or to the family.