Lucille Bolin Obituary
Long time Salida resident Lucille May Bolin died May 26, 2026, on her 92nd birthday. She was born in Findlay, Ohio on May 26, 1934, to Victor and Gertrude Freeman and grew up in Climax, Colorado and in the beautiful valley between Leadville and Climax. She attended Climax schools and later worked for the Climax mine general store and restaurant where she met a young miner in 1951 named Thalmage Kenneth (TK or Ken) Bolin. They fell in love, married three months later, raised their family and remained together until his death 20 years ago in June of 2006. Lucille was a beloved and dedicated mother to her six children, grandmother to her nine grandchildren, and “grandma great” to her nine great-grandchildren. She was also a caring “aunt” for numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and others she gathered under her wing as a part of her chosen family throughout the years. She loved them all dearly. She was a wonderful homemaker and superb cook who would welcome anyone at any time for a cup of coffee or something to eat. Lucille was also an active member of the Salida community. She was recognized for 20 years of service to the Longfellow Elementary parent-teacher association. She taught bible classes at the Salida Church of Christ. She volunteered in the Salida Hospital Gift shop and delivered food through Meals on Wheels to those in need. She was an independent business woman selling Stanley Home Products and enjoyed hosting parties around the area. She also worked in the cafeteria at both Longfellow Elementary and the Salida High School where she was well known for her delicious cinnamon rolls and warm, infectious smile. Lucille was a wonderful storyteller and would often regale tales of her adventures growing up in and around Climax – jumping off of the roof into the 6 feet of snow below, spying on a German soldier who had escaped from Camp Hale, or being woken in the middle of the night to see the moon turned to blood. The last few years of her life were spent seated at the head of her kitchen table, watching her beloved birds and hummingbirds out the windows, keeping up with “her babies” run through the house, or enjoying the photos of her family and grandchildren circle through on her digital photo frame which allowed her to “travel around the world,” and engage in special occasions virtually. She would frequently share the stories that went along with each photo on the frame, even if they sometimes changed a bit to reflect the ever evolving and legendary antics of her youngest greatgrandchildren. These activities brought her great joy. One of Lucille’s favorite hymns, I’ll Fly Away, showed her special connection to the birds and when the time came, and she knew her life was ending, she announced to her family, “I’m ready to fly away.” And she did, freely and peacefully. Lucille is preceded in death by her husband, Ken, her parents and her 8 siblings: James Freeman, Ruth Smith, Esther Choin, Leroy Freeman, Robert Freeman, Lewis Freeman, Mary Thompson, Tiva Garrison. She is survived by her children: Kenneth Bolin; David Bolin and his wife, Mary; Gary Bolin and his wife, Loyce; Ginger Butterfield and her husband, Mitch; Douglas Bolin; Brenda Bolin. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Amber Fluke and her husband, Chris; Dawn Bolin; Christina Bolin; Jessica Bolin and her husband, Andrew; Kelly Bolin; Sean Bolin and his wife Alfa; Byron Kerrigan, his wife Savannah; Alison Kerrigan; Danielle Kerrigan-Hodges and her husband, Mike; and, her beloved greatgrandchildren: Jordan Allen, Neasha Allen, Edeline Fluke, Evan Fluke, Calvin Kerrigan, Ian Kerrigan, Hannah Schilling, Daemon Kerrigan, and her youngest, Theodore Kenneth Bolin whom she never met in person but endearingly called “little TK.” She is also survived by her special niece, Deanna Deluca, and her remaining sister in law, Beverly Freeman. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Linda Marquis of Salida for her loving care in helping Lucille to look her best through her morning spa treatments, the delightful concerts of 1950s music they shared, and helping her remain in her home safely for the last few years of her life. A celebration of Lucille’s life will be held on Saturday, June 27 at 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall of the First Presbyterian Church in Salida. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery.
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