Obituary of Michael John Bosch

Michael John Bosch was born on October 10th, 1956, to parents John and Luella Bosch. He spent an idyllic childhood in Mobridge, SD, running wild (but not too wild because they were a respectable family) with his brother Jeff and his sister Sharon. The shining moments of his time in Mobridge included winning all state for singing and acting, playing trumpet in the band, bringing his high school to their knees while preforming the song “Wipe Out” at the school talent show, and being the first man in his high school to win the Betty Crocker homemaker award.

After graduating high school Mike moved to Vermillion, SD to attend the University of South Dakota. After his freshman year, Mike was encouraged by his school to find another educational opportunity as he was too much fun for USD (too much beer, not enough studying). During his freshman year, Mike met Joni Jacobsen during a chance encounter and to this day both parties agree it was love at first sight. Mike decided to follow his heart and moved on to Augustana College in Sioux Falls South Dakota, where Joni attended school. Mike was unsure what educational path he wanted to peruse so he followed Joni’s lead and majored in nursing. Mike would never claim that working as a nurse was his great passion in life, but he managed to find a niche he enjoyed within the world of research and had a 40-year career as a nurse.

Mike and Joni married on May 27th, 1978. Shortly after, they moved to Lander Wyoming, the place they called home until settling in Iowa City in 1982. Throughout the years Mike often remarked how lucky he was to have met Joni and that he believed himself extremely fortunate to have found such a wonderful partner with whom he could journey through life. Mike and Joni traveled often, always eager for a new adventure, and Mike always planned out where they would be eating on these trips before deciding on activities. Until the end they remained steadfast friends, soulmates, and the great loves of one another’s lives. Mike and Joni had three children Jared, Cassie (his favorite), and Kristen. Mike’s family was the true joy of his life. He was a great father. He was always present and engaged with his children, he was silly and fun, he polished nails, styled hair, and cheered embarrassingly loud from the stands during sporting events. He was a safe harbor any time the world became scary, or it felt like things were too much. He truly was the greatest dad. Eventually Mike and Joni had the joy of welcoming seven grandchildren Jacoby, Harrison, Brooklyn, Emmett, Macy, Leighton, and Madison. Having both of his daughters move back to Iowa city and being able to see his grandchildren on a regular basis was one of the things Mike was most grateful for.

Mike’s final years were made difficult with the onset of multi-system atrophy. It slowly stole his ability to move, it made communication difficult, and even made enjoying a meal almost impossible. Despite the difficulties Mike had to endure, he remained loving, kind, and full of humor. He will be remembered for his love of a good meal, his exceptional baking, being a great storyteller, impeccable comedic timing, being prone to impulse buys when Joni wasn’t around, and the love he had for his family. While right now our hearts are broken, we know that with time this sorrow will fade and be replaced by the memories of the joyful man he was. We love you Dad

Mike was preceded in death by his father, John Bosch. He is survived by his mother Luella Bosch; wife, Joni Bosch; children, Jared Bosch, Cassie Bosch Ahern (Chris), and Kristen Witt (Brian); sister, Sharon Wirth, (Matt); brother, Jeff Bosch (Luanne); grandchildren, Jacoby, Harrison, Brooklyn, Emmett, Macy, Leighton, Madison; and many loved in-laws

Michael J. Bosch, age 68 of Iowa City, died Sunday, December 1, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family.

Services celebrating Mike’s life will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024, at the Terry Trueblood Center in Iowa City from 11am until 2pm, with remarks shared at 12 noon.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in his memory to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation https://give.michaeljfox.org/give/489725/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgdC6BhCgARIsAPWNWH2Mdpq0WhvT9LwLxAGnsEJt9GijGAB_UKVWGwTh0gbK3h17Ryc_6VAaAtEMEALw_wcB#!/donation/checkout?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=community&utm_campaign=mjff_google_fundraising_q3_pmax_conversions_us_display&c_src=smcidoc-a1bVL0000028LsX or ICOR Boxing Club of Iowa City.   Don’t dress in mourning and please bring the funny stories about Mike!