Milo D. Bohlender

Milo D. Bohlender, CMSP, 84, of Fort Collins, passed away November 13, 2018 at Poudre Valley Hospital. 

Milo was born March 20, 1934 on the family dairy farm in LaSalle, CO to Jacob Bohlender and Martha Gaede Bohlender. He graduated from Campion Academy High School, Campion, CO in 1952 and from Northwest Institute of Medical Technology, Minneapolis, MN in 1953 with a degree in x-ray technology. 

In the fall of 1953, while on a hunting trip, Milo was shot through the legs by another deer hunter. He spent the next few years undergoing corrective surgery, recuperating, and helping his father and brother on the farm. He also managed his own dairy herd and raised Shetland ponies.

He married Gwendolyn Walker of Greeley, CO in 1954. Following two years in the Army, Milo and Gwen moved to Newbury Park, CA when Milo accepted a job as the assistant manager of the Newbury Park Academy Dairy and Milk Processing Plant.

Milo and Gwen returned to Colorado in 1959 so that Milo could attend Colorado State University. He found a job at Warren Funeral Chapel which served as his inspiration to join the funeral industry. He took a one year leave of absence from CSU to attend the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. He graduated third in this class in 1964 and returned to Fort Collins to assume the role of Vice President of Warren Funeral Chapel (which would become Bohlender Funeral Chapel in 1982), beginning a career that would span more than 60 years. 

During his career, Milo served as Secretary/Treasurer for the Northern Colorado Funeral Directors Association, President of the Colorado Funeral Directors Association, and was a Deputy Coroner for Larimer County. He was also a member of many local service clubs including: Fort Collins Kiwanis Club, Jaycees, Sertoma, Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, and the American Legion George Beach Post #4.

Milo loved to sing. He recorded a religious album with his daughter, Vaundeen Bachus, and sister, Iris Hughes. He sang for many years in the Larimer County Barbershop Chorale and was the lead singer of the comedy barbershop quartet the Feed Lot 4. He enjoyed traveling with the quartet throughout the Midwest and on a USO Tour to Asia.

To say he was an avid sports fan is an understatement. He was in San Diego for the Bronco's first Superbowl victory, at the Pepsi Center for the Avalanche's game seven Stanley Cup victory, attended the Rockies very first opening day, and was one of Colorado State University's biggest fans. He spent many years cheering for the Rams football team and had season tickets to men's basketball before Moby Gym opened.

Survivors include his wife, Gwen; daughter, Vaundeen and her husband Dr. Kevin Bachus of Fort Collins; son, Gary and his wife Kristin of Fort Collins; sister, Iris Hughes of Greeley; and two grandchildren, Scout and Stella Bohlender.

Preceding Milo in death are his parents and two brothers, Leon and Dale Bohlender.