Marcella Marion Bosco

Marcella was born Friday, November 16, 1923 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to

Nels Albert Johnson and Selma Alexandra Mabel (Berg) Johnson.

She had two older brothers, Harvey Russell, (1920-2015), and Harlan Warner (1922-2014).

Marcella grew up with her parents, brothers, and grandmother in the house her father built, at 1089 22nd Avenue S.E. in Minneapolis, and attended Tuttle School. She often liked to tell her children the story of walking to school in the winter time, being careful not to touch the power lines that sagged down from the weight of the snow as she walked.

Marcella graduated from Marshall High School in 1941, and continued her education afterwards; she graduated from nursing school 1943.

While in school, she joined a Riding Club and took horseback riding lessons.

After graduating from nursing school, Marcella was a private duty Geriatric Nurse for the Honeywell family. She lived and traveled with the Honeywells from their summer home in Minnesota to their winter home in Florida, located next door to the Kennedy family’s Florida Estate.

Marcella's Uncle George, Aunt Alice, and cousin Jane came back to Minnesota to visit. They invited Marcella to visit Denver, Colorado. As they drove back to Denver, she recalled seeing the Colorado sign as they entered the state. All she could see was flat land, and wondered what happened to the mountains that everyone told her about?

Marcella decided to find a nursing job while renting a room from her aunt and uncle, at 1119 Pearl Street in Denver, Colorado. She found a job at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Her Uncle George knew Francisco Bosco, who would eventually be her father-in-law, and was set up on a blind double-date with cousin Jane, Jane’s boyfriend Ken Hansen, and her future husband.

Marcella opened the door to see Robert E. Bosco, (love at first sight?) Yes, they fell in love, attended various Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity parties, dances, and football games at the Colorado School of Mines. They continued to attend fraternity parties and football games throughout their adult life. Shortly after Robert graduated, he proposed to Marcella and they married on February 11, 1950.

They honeymooned at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Three days later, Robert put on his Air Force uniform and proceeded to active duty in England. Marcella followed Bob to England where they lived for about five years.

Daughter Kristine Evelyn Bosco (Rutherford) was born in the spring of 1952 near Hayworth, England.

The family traveled all over northern Europe with Marcella’s mother Selma and Aunt Ethel, and Bob's mother Adeline, taking a ferry to Sweden to visit Marcella's Aunt Ida.

Son William Edward Bosco was born in the spring of 1954, near Cambridge, England.

After returning to the states in 1955 via Minneapolis, where Marcella and Bob picked up the stored wedding presents, and other items that were shipped back to the states, they took off to Denver.

While renting a home near Porters hospital, they bought a brand new home on East Jewell Avenue in Denver, Colorado and moved in October 1955. At that time, there were no homes to the east of theirs, the street wasn't paved, and the city limits of Denver were 1,000 feet up the block at Holly Street.

Marcella was a homemaker and mom. Bob was in the Air Force and later started Bee TV service. Marcella helped with the "shop", and took care of Bob, Krissy, and Billy. Marcella enjoyed cooking and made wonderful breads, desserts and cakes.

Marcella's nursing skills were still put to good use; she took care of her mother who stayed with the family for several months, followed by the care of her Aunt Alice, who also stayed with them for several months, and finally, Marcella took care of Bob's Mother, Adeline, who lived with the family for several years.

In the spring of 1971, Marcia Anne Rutherford was born and Marcella became a grandmother.

In the spring of 1987, Kelly Marie Bosco, her second granddaughter, was born.

Marcella and Bob continued with "Bee TV" until Bob had bypass surgery in the early 80s, and once again Marcella’s nursing skills took over, and made sure Bob was being taken care of the right way. Marcella cared for Bob until his passing in 1994.

Marcella loved her home and never wanted to leave it.

Even in her failing health, she resisted the thought of moving into an assisted living facility. She got her wish, and lived in her home until she was moved to hospice, where she spent time with family in her final days.

Marcella was preceded in death by her father, Nels Johnson, mother Selma Johnson, husband, Robert Bosco, brothers, Harlan Johnson and Harvey Johnson, and Harlan’s wife, Martha.

She is survived by her daughter, Kristine Rutherford (Frank Riehl), son William Bosco (Ellen), and two granddaughters, Marcia Rutherford (Jake Kononov) and Kelly Bosco.

She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held 9-10:30am, Thursday with committal service to follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd., Denver, CO 80235.

Memorial contributions may be made in Marcella's name to the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado, 455 Sherman Street, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80203, 1.800.272.3900, www.alz.org/co or to The Porter Hospice Foundation, 1391 Speer Blvd, Suite 600, Denver, CO 80204, Phone: 303.561.5773, www.centurahealthathome.org