Fifth Generation

83. Karen BURNSTAD was born on 24 June 1944 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹⁰ She died on 25 January 2021 at the age of 76 in Hastings, Dakota County, MN.^72,110
Obituary Notes: "Karen (Burnstad) Boldon, 76, formally of Tomah, WI passed away peacefully on January 25, 2021 with family by her side after an unrelenting battle with Alzheimer’s.

Karen was born on June 24, 1944 in Tomah, WI.  She was the youngest of 5 children born to Chester “Chet” and Edna (Butterfuss) Burnstad.  Following graduation from Tomah High School in 1962, she attended Madison Vocational, Technical and Adult Schools, where she earned a Medical Assistant Certificate. 

In August 1963 she married William Boldon at the American Lutheran Church in Tomah.  They had 2 children, Todd & Heather.  The family eventually settled in Colorado until 1979, when she and the kids relocated to Wisconsin after a divorce. 

Karen worked for Ruan Leasing (Mauston) and later in Burnstads Corporate Office until she retired.  After retirement she enjoyed volunteering with a cat rescue.  Over the years she enjoyed downhill skiing (while living in Colorado), gardening, going to stock car races, boating and country western dancing.  She was a reluctant traveler, but could be talked into some adventures, which included a couple of cruises, a couple trips south of the border, snorkeling, river tubing, walking the Freedom Trail in Boston.

She is survived by her daughter Heather; three grandchildren Jason, Whitney & Danny; three great grandchildren; brother Victor Burnstad; sister Marlene Johnson; sister-in-law Karyl Burnstad; maternal aunt Darlene (Ron) Tralmer, several friends and a large extended family.  She also leaves behind her beloved rescue cat Raven; and grand-dogs Digby and Riley.  

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Donald and Eugene Burnstad.

Per her wishes, there won’t be a funeral.  Instead, the family will plan/announce a Celebration of Life gathering in Tomah at a later date.  In lieu of flowers/memorials, the family encourages donations in her name to any animal rescue-centered organization."

.

Karen BURNSTAD and William H. BOLDON were married in August 1963.^110,111 They^110,111 were divorced in 1979.¹¹¹ William H. BOLDON, son of Ivan BOLDON and Beth SCHROEDER, was born on 28 May 1940 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹¹ He died on 18 April 2009 at the age of 68 in Denver, Denver County, CO.¹¹¹

Obituary Notes: "William H. Boldon, age 68, formally of Wilton, passed away April 18, 2009, in Denver, CO. He was born May 28, 1940, to Ivan and Beth (Schroeder) Boldon. He grew up on a farm located outside of Wilton. He attended grade school at Dorset Valley School. He graduated in 1958 with a basketball scholarship that took him briefly to Kentucky. He ended up in Janesville working at the Chevrolet plant.

He was married to Karen Burnstad in 1963 and later divorced in 1979. They had two children together. As newlyweds, Bill and Karen lived in Fort Atkinson while he attended college in Whitewater. After earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Bill became a CPA and accepted a job in Terre Haute, IN, working for the accounting firm of Ernst & Ernst. Eventually, he accepted a position with another company, which took him to Denver. He eventually settled in Loveland, CO, where digging around in and tending to his backyard vegetable gardens was his summer hobby. He also enjoyed his season tickets to the Denver Nuggets’ and Colorado Rockies’ (the then hockey team) games. There was a second marriage that ended in divorce.

Bill was quite ambitious and had a very strong entrepreneurial drive. He became a real estate broker when he owned and operated multiple Century 21 offices in the Loveland area. He co-developed a large subdivision on the outskirts of Loveland and for years thereafter had his hand in real estate in one way, shape or form. Later he went on to start a successful home health care company. Finally, he launched a specialized correctional medical staffing company, which he owned until retirement. After he retired, he relocated to downtown Denver. He kept busy working part-time for an auto auction and socializing with his downtown neighbors.

He is survived by a son, Todd (and Donna) of Madison and a daughter, Heather of Eagan, MN; siblings Joy (Johnny) Thurow of Adams, Jerry (“Noonie”) of Little Falls, MN, and Bonnie of Tomah and grandchildren Jason (Jessica) Edgerton, Whitney Boldon; great-grandson, Tristan Edgerton n all of Baraboo; an aunt Jean (Roland) Densmore of Neillsville and various nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandmother Eris (Harmon) Yeske, grandfather William Schroeder, and an aunt, Geneva Yeske.

Memorial services will be Saturday, May 9, at 6 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home, Tomah. Pastor Jay Cronholm will officiate. Family and friends are invited for visitation, Saturday from 4 p.m. until the time of service. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com. May his soul rest in peace."

.

Karen BURNSTAD and William H. BOLDON had the following children: