Kevin Boyle

Kevin James Boyle was born September 5, 1937 in Graceville, MN and died October 16, 2021 in Crookston MN at the age of 84. He was born to Timothy and Tracey (Hess) Boyle, the 2nd of 10 children. Kevin grew up in a hardworking, but fun-loving family, and talked much about his childhood. He loved his parents and never spoke an unkind word about them.

In 1955 Kevin left Minnesota to join the Marines. He was stationed in Japan, served in Vietnam, and was stationed nationwide from the east coast to the west. He served his country for 12 years with great pride, earning the Vietnam Service Medal with 2 stars, the National Defense Medal, and 2 good conduct medals. In 2019 Kevin was given the privilege to participate in the Honor Flight for Military Veterans.

In 1958 he married Clara “Jean” Haston and they were soulmates for 62 years until her death in April of this year. Kevin showed his love for Jean by visiting her every day for the last seven years of her life with Alzheimer’s. They had 7 children, though one was stillborn. They also had 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

Kevin and Jean did so many fun things together.  He loved to dance, and every chance he could he and Jean would be kicking up the sawdust!  They bowled together and then took up golfing! Gardening was a hobby that Kevin loved.  He so enjoyed fresh garden produce. He so loved life and all the fun that could be had!

Kevin was a handyman and worked many jobs using his skills.  Over the years he worked as a carpenter. He used his carpentry skills to build an addition to their home…and he was in his 70s! He was a draftsman, and maintenance man for the Crookston school.  Kevin served as a bus driver and drove many a sporting team to their games where he earned the nickname “Crash”.  He was known as the best bus driver of Crookston. He worked as an umpire for many years. Kevin loved mowing lawns and worked for the community golf courses mowing their lawns, as well as mowing for family and neighbors.

His first love was his family.  Kevin was always a ‘hands-on’ type of father.  He got involved in the activities his children and grandchildren were involved in, from coaching hockey, baseball, and softball, to going to games and band concerts to support them. He loved to tell his grandchildren crazy stories to make them laugh!

Our dad and grandpa did not know a stranger.  It didn’t matter where he was, he would start talking to anyone!  And everywhere he went, people knew him.  He loved to tell jokes, which is probably his best feature…and he was a great practical joker as well. There wouldn’t be enough room to write down every joke he ever told!

Kevin was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Jean; a stillborn son, Patrick; a grandson, Brett, that he missed so much; his parents; two brothers, Roger and Thomas; and a sister, Margorie.

Kevin is survived by 6 children: Mary (Kevin) Peyton, Charles (Deb), Valerie O’Connell, Vincent, Lauri (Jeff) Walker, and Timothy (Dena); 13 grandchildren: Kayla, Dustin and Emery Peyton, Danielle Boyle, Erin (Tim) Gerold, Megan (Tanner) Olsen, Cody (Emily) Boyle, Misty (Jimmy) Praska, Jake (Christina, fiancé) Walker, Chantel (Cory) Uriell, Desdemona, Elizabeth, and Brooklyn Boyle; 12 great-grandchildren with another on the way; 3 sisters: Eileen Athey, Sharon Dilly, and Bonnie (Mike) Owens; 3 brothers: Jim (Julie) Boyle, Richard (Rene) Boyle, and Paul (Anne) Boyle; a sister-in-law, Ila Reeves; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Kevin will be in the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home in Crookston on Thursday, November, 4, 2021 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service and sharing of memories at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be in the Church of Christ, 321 5th Avenue South, Crookston, on Friday, November 5th at 10:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 9:00 a.m.  A graveside service with military honors will take place at the Fargo National Cemetery near Harwood, ND at 1:30 p.m. Friday afternoon.

Special thanks to the Villa Staff for all the care you gave to Kevin during his time there.

Online registry and messages of condolence may be made at www.stenshoelhouske.com