She was born Oct. 17, 1910, at Fairmont to William and Agda (Hernberg) Bergstrand. As a child, her family lived in several Nebraska communities before settling at Benedict where she attended school. When offered a job in the Sparling Grocery store, her family encouraged her to quit school and go to work, a decision she regretted the rest of her life.
On Dec. 10, 1927, she married Cecil M. Bolton and worked along side him in their farming operation. She was most proud of the fact that she had her own team and wagon and was able to pick 100 bushels of corn a day. She was a wonderful seamstress and made beautiful drapes. She also did much handiwork which she shared with her family. She enjoyed cross-word puzzles and all game shows that challenged her mind. She took great pleasure cooking delicious meals and having her family together. She was a member of the Benedict and York Methodist Churches and was active in their Ladies Missionary Society. She was also a past member of the Dorcas Club and the Friendship Club. She enjoyed traveling and playing cards.
She is survived by her daughter, Virginia and her husband Noel Kealiher of York; her daughter-in-law, JoAnne Bolton of Benedict; her five grandchildren, Vicki and her husband Norman Recknor of Polk, Dr. Gary and his wife Cynthia Bjerrum of Mitchell, S.D., Dennis and his wife Sheila Bjerrum of Bradshaw, Gregg and his wife LuAnn Bolton of Benedict and Pamela and her husband Scott Owens of Avondale, Ariz.; five step-grandchildren; 11 great -grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; and eight great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil; her son, Willard; son-in-law, Don Bjerrum; two grandchildren; and all of her siblings.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 19, 2010 at the Metz Chapel in York. Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill cemetery west of Benedict with memorials being directed to the First United Methodist Church or Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Visitation begins after 1 p.m., Saturday, and then again from 1–9 p.m., on Sunday afternoon with her family greeting friends later Sunday evening from 6–8 p.m.