Stephen Francis Bolser

Stephen Francis Bolser passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2009 , at St. Mary's Care Center in Madison after a brave and courageous battle with brain cancer.   He was born on February 26, 1953 , in Urbana , Illinois , the son of the late George and Catherine Bolser of Rantoul , Illinois .   He and Melenie Wowczuk were married on August 19, 1972 , in Lombard , IL .    He is survived by his loving wife Melenie, son Matthew Charles, daughters Sarah Anne and Sally Anne as well as his loving and supportive brothers and sisters   Rev. Charles Bolser of Anne (John) Reale, Sr.,   Joseph (Mary) Bolser,   Rev. Robert Bolser, Mary Kay (Timothy) DeClue, John Bolser,   Colleen (Edward) VonDeBur and sister-in-law Barbara Bolser.   Steve was a graduate of Eastern Illinois University , and the University of Illinois .    After Melenie and his children, teaching was his first love and he began his teaching career at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield , Illinois , and continued at Ursuline Academy , Springfield , IL , Edgewood High School , Madison , WI , Edgewood Campus School , and for the past 15 years as principal at Our Lady Queen of Peace School in Madison , WI .   He was the recipient of a 2008 Catholic Charities Leadership Award.    Steve was also a lover of theatre and in the 1970s and 80s   performed in many different community theatre productions, but his biggest claims to fame were as Captain Hook in Peter Pan, Snoopy in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, and in high school as Harold Hill in the Music Man.  Over the past 34 years Steve shared his love of theatre with his students by directing numerous plays and musicals.    Steve's passion for teaching, his insistence on community service, and his love for students of all ages will be long remembered.    A poet at heart, his poetry captured many a tender, funny and insightful moment for family and friends over the years and will be ours to cherish for years to come.   In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Brain Tumor Research Association, Our Lady Queen of Peace School Endowment, or St. Mary's Care Center Foundation.   The family wishes to thank the professional and compassionate staff at St. Mary's Care Center for their loving care over the past four months; our Queen of Peace School and Parish ""family"", our Midvale School ""family,"" and our own family and friends for   their unending support and prayers over this year long journey.    We couldn't have done it with out all of you!   Visitation will be at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19.   Funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 20 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish.