Richard Boland

Richard J. "Dick" Boland, 82, of Independence passed away peacefully on October 14, 2012 at Tomah Veterans Administration Hospital. Richard was born in La Crosse on April 7, 1930 and lived his childhood on the family dairy farm in Boland Valley, Glencoe Township outside of Arcadia and was a graduate of Arcadia High School. He married Bernice Sonsalla on November 25, 1951 and shortly after was drafted into the army and served in Korea. When he returned from his tour of duty, Richard and Bernice moved to a dairy farm on the outskirts of Independence where they raised seven children. Their last child is a very special son, Mark, who brings smiles to the faces of everyone he meets. Richard lost his beloved wife 27 years ago and raised Mark from the age of 12 as a single parent. He was a hard worker and enjoyed life with the same gusto. Richard was a member of SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Sura-Wiersgalla American Legion Post 186 and had served on the Independence School Board. Richard is survived by six of his children Lynn (Gene Rucker) Boland of Green Bay, Gary (Farrah) of Independence, Lori (Manny) Gardea of Pittsburgh, Penn., Paul (Judy) of Independence, Mary (David) Byrne of Kenosha and Mark of Independence; daughter-in-law Rita Boland of Independence. He is also survived by nine grandchildren Robert and Bradley (Kim) Boland, Megan and Andrew Gardea, Kyle Boland, Samantha and Michael Byrne, Matthew and Dylan Boland; two sisters Phyllis Hostetler of Virginia Beach, Va. and Ruth Tormey of Madison. He was preceded in death by his wife Bernice; two sons, Michael and Richard Jr.; a sister, Irene Snyder and four brothers, James, William, Robert and Thomas. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 19, 2012 at the SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Independence, with Very Rev. Woodrow H. Pace officiating. Burial, with military rites, will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, where there will be a prayer service followed by a rosary at 7:30 p.m.; and 8-10 a.m. Friday at Edison Funeral Home, Independence. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard Boland, please visit our flower store.