Simon Bosch

Simon C. Bosch, 92, passed away on February 17, 2024. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, Feb. 24, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, 519 Raymond St, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 6:00-7:00 PM, Friday, Feb. 23, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. A rosary/vigil will begin at 7:00 PM. 

Burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. 

Simon was born to Clemens and Margaret (Muth) Bosch at the family farm near Hague, ND, on May 4, 1931, the third of 12 children.  He attended rural school in Linton.  Following his education, he worked on his parent’s farm and neighboring farms.  On the farm, Simon and his siblings learned the meaning of hard work and responsibility, but also how to get into mischief when their parents went to town.  During his declining days, life on the farm with his siblings was often a topic of conversation and a part of his dreams.  

Simon enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in January 1952 and served honorably in Korea as a member of a mobile artillery crew.  He earned several medals for his bravery in combat, but rarely spoke about these experiences.  He was chosen in 2023 to visit Washington, DC as part of the Western ND Honor Flight.  He greatly enjoyed visiting all of the sites, especially the Korean War Memorial.

After his discharge from active duty in January 1954, Simon made his home in Bismarck. He soon began working as a baker at Sweetheart Bakery and eventually became the warehouse manager.  He retired in 1988 after 34 years of service.  Many of his co-workers at Sweetheart remained good friends until the time of his death.

Simon was united in marriage to Kathryn Abbey at St. Mary’s Church in Bismarck in 1959.  Together they raised seven children, quickly outgrowing their first home in Bismarck.   For over 50 years their second home on Summit Boulevard in Bismarck was a place of love, family, good food, and support for many.   

In his free time, Simon enjoyed being outside either hunting, fishing, walking in the neighborhood, or just sitting and watching the birds. He and Kathy were avid gardeners and always had plenty of fresh “garden goodies” to share with family and neighbors.  He enjoyed listening to old-time polka music and watching the Minnesota Vikings.  He was a member of the Bismarck VFW, Knights of Columbus, and Teamsters.  Simon was most comfortable at home, but his loud laugh and tendency to playfully tease others came out in social settings, especially when with his siblings.  He enjoyed dancing and it was a treat to watch him dance the polka at family weddings.   

Happy to have shared his life are his loving wife, Kathy; six children and their spouses:  Sue (Leon) Smith, Belfair, WA, Linda (Tom) Harvey, Hot Springs, SD, David (Cheryl) Bosch, Allyn, WA, Jane Bosch, Mandan, Joe Bosch and his fiancé Kim Barthel, Fergus Falls, MN, and Lauren (Robin) Bosch, Bismarck; his sisters Rose Ostoj, Alvina Schwindt, Francis Nelson, and Mary Larson; brothers Bill Bosch and Alois Bosch; 14 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clemens and Margaret, brothers John, George, and Leo, sisters Ann Balanga and Cecelia Schumacher, daughter Nancy Horner, and grandson Corey Bosch.