JOHN ALBERT BOKELMANN, age 68 of Waterville, passed away after a five year long, ourageous battle with Kidney Cancer. On the afternoon of Saturday, October 22, 2022, at Mayo Clinic Hospital – Methodist Campus in Rochester, Minnesota.
Born in Morristown on February 2, 1954, John was the son of Albert and Helena (Geisler) Bokelmann. On December 3, 1977, John married Melodee Coyle and this would be their 45th year of marriage. He attended two years of vocational school in Jackson, studying Telephone Repair. He then spent the next 45 years working as a repairman in the New Richland and Manchester areas. He spent 21 of those years as a firefighter in New Richland. John was very handy in fixing and building things, considerably, a Jack of all Trades. He loved to hunt and fish, go out on the pontoon, play darts and above all, spend time with his friends and family whom he loved dearly.
John is survived by his wife Melodee of Waterville; three children, Amy Warke (Dennis), Brian (Vanessa) Ziemke both of New Richland and Mandy Root (Nate Asmus) of Wells; five grandchildren, Braeden (Victoria), Brock, Hazel, Josh (Kelly), Jordan (Shayna); five great-grandchildren, Kayden, Kylie, Kelsey, Oakley and Brekston; three siblings, JoAnn (Stan) Rieneke of Owatonna, Jerome (Dawn) Bokelmann of Andover, Jim (Nancy) of Madison Lake; Cousin and very special friend Bob Preuss of Lakeville; and two furry friends Foxy and Candy. John is preceded in death by his parents Albert and Helena; one sister, Jane Gilbertson; Mother and Father-in-law Paul and Doris Coyle; sisters and brothers-in-laws, Connie and Gary Johnson, Dick and Judy Coyle, Michael Coyle and nephew Donnie Johnson.
In honoring John’s wishes, he will be cremated, and a gathering hosted by the Bokelmann family will be held at the Waterville Event Center on Saturday, November 5, 2022. There will be a Celebration of Life from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service is handling the arrangements. dennisfuneralhomes.com