Riverview, FL - A beloved husband, father, papa, brother, and friend, Reed James Bolander, 85, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2025, with his wife of 45 years, Bernice, by his side. He was a kind man who adored his family and loved life until the very end. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Reed Carroll Bolander and Ellen Frederickson Bolander, he has been reunited with his parents and his Savior.

He is survived by his wife, Bernice; his children, Melanie (Blaine) Bolander, Jamie (Ruby) Hall, Angela (Patrick) Schafhauser, and Jennifer (Jon) Vought; 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; his siblings, Drew (Darlene) Bolander, Betty Bolander, Connie (Nelson) McQueen, Nola (Nils) Carlson, and Cherie (Patrick) Miller; and many family and friends whose lives he touched.

Reed was a man of deep faith and devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a mission in Canada and numerous callings throughout his life. For five years, he and Bernice ran the LDS food shelf. Reed was an intentional teacher, while also being an avid learner. He spoke about his faith with anyone who would listen and ultimately lived out each word.

Reed began his career at Control Data Corp. in California before moving to Minnesota to work at the University of Minnesota. He later founded Medsource, Inc., which he built and ran for 50 years. He loved his work.

In 1980, he married Bernice and they spent the majority of their years in Edina, Minnesota, then Lakeville, Minnesota, before finally making the move to sunny Florida in 2022. No matter where it was, their home was always warm and welcoming.

Reed loved working with his hands. He was happiest in his workshop tinkering, fixing, or creating something beautiful. If you needed help with anything, he was there. Above all, he loved his family. He adored Bernice and was so proud of his four children. His grandchildren and great grandchildren brought him immense joy.

He is remembered best through the words of his granddaughter, Grace: "On December 2nd, our sweet Papa was granted his eternal reward. Above all, my papa will be remembered as a man of immense faith. I have no doubt that he has met his Savior—perhaps bonding over their shared love of carpentry. He was an intentional teacher while also being an avid learner, thus exemplifying his humility. He taught me how to hammer a nail but also about the life of Jesus Christ. He had a big, squinty-eyed smile and a love for pepper in his orange juice. If Jesus comes back wearing a Hawaiian shirt I know who to blame. We love him greatly."

No formal service will be held. The family invites you to honor his memory by performing an act of service for someone in need, just as he would have done.