Matthew Thomas Bolland
July 10, 1956 - March 21, 2023
Obituary
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13
STOUGHTON - Matthew Thomas Bolland, 66, of Stoughton peacefully went to be with the Lord on March 21, 2023. Matt was born on July 10, 1956, to Gerhard L. and Eileen M. (Kelly) Bolland in Riverside, Calif. The family moved to Madison, Minn., in 1958 and then permanently to Stoughton in 1960. He married the love of his life, Nancy J. Marsh, on Aug. 9, 1980. Together they raised three sons and supported and loved each other throughout their 42 years of marriage.
Matt received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin in Madison including graduate level course work. He co-authored papers related to recombinant DNA technology and worked with several government agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Matt served on numerous standards development committees and held ten patents for his ergonomic and safety improvements to children’s playground equipment. He retired in August of 2022 after 20 years as the Product Integrity Manager for Playstar, Inc.
Matt had a deep and abiding faith and was ordained as a minister of God in 1981. He dedicated his life to bringing that faith alive to all he knew. He ministered at the Oakhill Prison for a number of years and founded two faith-based home churches, ‘Jesus Lives Fellowship’ and ‘Home Bible Ministries.’ He had been an Associate Pastor and most recently Pastor at Christian Assembly Church. He was a caring and loving person who lived a life of service and treated everyone with love and respect. He was always supportive and willing to help whenever he was needed.
Matt enjoyed many hobbies and activities. Spending time at the Perch Lake property in northern Wisconsin and visiting family, especially to celebrate special occasions and important life events, was something he treasured. Matt was a talented woodworker. In addition to furniture, he made his own banjo using a variety of woods and inlaid mother-of-pearl. He also enjoyed playing his guitar. He took his woodworking talent to the country of Nepal to build bunk beds for an orphanage in 2015. He and Nancy also spent time at an orphanage in Peru in 2016 improving the living conditions for the children there. Photography was another of his interests. He loved exploring the country and sharing the wonders of God’s creation through his photographs of the many beautiful landscapes and wildlife wherever he traveled.
One of Matt’s greatest desires was to write a book honoring the groundbreaking military career of his father, Lt. Col. Gerhard L. Bolland, in World War II. Incorporating his father’s handwritten memoirs with four years of research and writing, his work came to fruition when his book, “Among the Firsts,” was published in June of 2022.
Matt was predeceased by his parents; and his father-in-law, Donald Marsh Sr. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; sons, Bryan, Daniel and Paul (fiancée, Alyssa Campbell); and his five siblings: Eric (Alexa) Bolland, Verona, Judith Schumann, Stoughton, Anita (Gary) Galow, Matawan, N.J., Andrew Bolland, Tucson, Ariz., and Eileen Barry (Steven Novacheck), Stoughton. Also surviving are his mother-in-law, Ruth Marsh, Stoughton; and in-laws: Lynn (Doug) Delong, Cherry Valley, N.Y., Wayne (Kim) Marsh, Stoughton, and Donald (Lois) Marsh Jr., Stoughton; and many beloved nieces, nephews and their spouses and children.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works.” Eph. 2:8-9
A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023, in Stoughton, for all family and friends. Further details to be announced.
Memorials may be made to either The Gideons for Bibles (www.sendtheword.org) or the American Bible Society. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Stoughton
Funeral & Cremation Care
1358 Highway 51 N. @ Jackson St.
(608) 873-4590