Reynold Andrew Bohleen

Reynold Andrew Bohleen, age 93, of Rochester, MN, passed away 6/14/2020, at home with his family. Rey was born April 7, 1927, in Lindstrom, MN, to Elmer and Mabel Bohleen. Rey married Marilee S. Brown on June 3, 1950, and they were married 69 years. Survived by son Geoff (Joni) and daughter Christa: grandchildren Abigail (Scott) Martinson, Kelsey (Thor) Hansen and Drew (Cami) Bohleen and great-grandchildren Elsa, Svea and Thor Hansen. Rey blessed many as a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and pastor! Private interment at Fort Snelling Memorial Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Covenant Living Benevolence Fund. Life Story: Reynold Andrew Bohleen was born in the family farmhouse near Lindstrom, MN on April 7, 1927. His parents were Elmer and Mabel Bohleen and Rey was the 4th of 5 children. Rey’s sisters where Phyllis and Shirley and his brothers were Norm and Vincent. Two of Rey’s most vivid memories of childhood were the Christmas he got a little red wagon and the day a tornado destroyed the barn right across the street as the family stood on the front porch of the house and watched. The family had little but Rey said he never felt poor. There was no indoor plumbing or electricity until Rey was in his teens. Rey graduated from high school in 1945 and immediately enlisted in the army. During boot camp in Arkansas Rey qualified to enter a program to be trained as a spy against the Japanese, but then the war ended and dad never learned a word of Japanese. While away from home, at age 19, Rey’s mom was killed in an accident at home. He found out when a telegram arrived that told him to come home for the funeral. After his service in the Army Rey enrolled at Taylor University, in Indiana. While there a young lady caught his attention and on June 3, 1950 he married Marilee Sue Brown, from Uniondale, Indiana. They were married on a Friday night, went to nearby Fort Wayne for a weekend honeymoon and then left on Monday on a summer-long tour with the other members of a gospel quartet. Upon returning from the tour Rey became the student pastor for 3 small Methodist churches in rural Indiana. Rey and Marilee lived in the parsonage of one of the churches. Rey finished his last year at Taylor and graduated in 1951. After his ministry in Indiana, Rey and Marilee moved to St. Paul so Rey could attend Bethel Seminary. Rey graduated in 1955 and then they moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Rey served with a church plant and then became the pastor of Bethel Baptist Church. In 1958 Geoff was born, followed by Christa in 1963. During their time in Cleveland Rey’s older sister, Phyllis, was killed in a car accident while on her way to visit Rey. Rey and the family moved to Kingsburg, CA in 1964 where Rey served as pastor of First Baptist Church until 1968. Then the family moved to Greenhills, OH as Rey became the pastor of First Baptist Church of Greenhills. Rey served there 11 years and then served with the Baptist General Conference in a variety of roles for the next 11 years. After a final pastorate in Chicago, Rey retired in 1992. Rey and Marilee then lived in Stow, OH and Golden Valley MN, together with family and friends. Marilee died in September, 2019. She had suffered a stroke 6 years earlier and Rey’s stated purpose became to take care of Marilee as she needed for as long as she lived. It was perhaps his most important ministry ever. Rey and Marilee were married 69 years. Rey was reunited with Marilee on Sunday, June 14 as he passed away peacefully in Rochester, MN, with family at his side. There are many great memories we have of Rey. Here are a few…. Nobody sneezed as loud as he did! He played a lot of SkipBo, Uno, and Hide and Go Seek. He loved to watch The Price is Right, often with Drew, and seemed to always have the right price! He should have been a contestant. He loved music. We often heard him humming, singing or whistling. Grandpa let us (Abby and Kelsey) paint his toe nails. Drew remembers fishing with Grandpa on the dock in the small lake behind their townhouse in Stow. He took the family on long road trips and we saw so much! Wherever dad and mom lived and served they made life-long friends. Dad loved to wear a hat and thought ladies looked great in hats! Geoff remembers golfing with dad, throwing the ball around in the yard, Dad coming to his games and yelling at the refs or ump on his behalf, and a lot of evenings at Cincinnati Reds games. For Geoff and Christa he was our pastor as we grew up. He baptized us, and taught us a lot about faith and life, at church and at home. Dad enjoyed golf…playing it and watching it. He also enjoyed a great book. Rey was even keeled and very patient. When asked about a change in plans, he would shrug and say, “Whatever.” Rey loved waffles with strawberries and whipped cream. Rey was an amazing servant, helping Mom after her first stroke. She became his purpose and ministry and he served her so patiently and well. As he grew older he became more verbal in his appreciation. During his last few weeks he expressed his gratitude and thanks repeatedly. A few days before he finished this chapter of his life, Rey was walking slowly out of the bathroom and Geoff asked where he wanted to go; he could go into the family room, go sit in a chair in his bedroom or go back to bed. He grinned, looked at Geoff and said, “How about heaven? That sounds like the best option.” He got his wish. We are so happy for him and we miss him!

Tributes

Reynold Andrew Bohleen

April 7, 1927 - June 14, 2020

Tributes

Reynold Andrew Bohleen

April 7, 1927 - June 14, 2020

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