Eugene Bodensteiner

Wednesday, February 14, 2018 2:27 pm

Eugene Bodensteiner, 81, of West Union, died Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, at the Good Samaritan Society in West Union. A Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, with Rev. Kyle Digmann officiating. Mass servers were Dillon Reicks and Kalvin Langreck. Cross bearer was Danielle Bodensteiner. Organist was Kathy Meyer. Soloist was Dan Silhacek. St. Luke’s Choir sang “Be Not Afraid,” “I Have Loved You,” “On Eagle’s Wings,” “Goin Home” and “How Great Thou Art.” Lector was David Hemesath. Eucharistic ministers were Sheila Reicks, Elaine Heying, Germaine Langreck and Barb Reicks. Offertory gift bearers were Eugene’s granddaughters. Casket bearers were Darren Kriener, Kody Bodensteiner, Matt Borntrager, Jay Eickman, Dillon Hammersland and Spencer Bodensteiner. Military rites were performed by Aloysius Schmitt American Legion Post 691, U.S. Army. Interment was in St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery, St. Lucas. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Eugene Ben Bodensteiner was born Sept. 10, 1936, in the same house he resided in his entire life near St. Lucas. He was the son of John and Rena Bodensteiner, and was the youngest of three children. His mother Rena passed away when he was 12. Eugene attended St. Luke’s Catholic school and graduated in 1954. He met his wife Rosalyn at a dance, three weeks before he went into boot camp. She wrote to him every day. He was proud to be a member of the 2nd, of the 504th, regiment of the 82nd All American Airborne division at Fort Bragg located in Fayetteville, N.C. He served as an airborne paratrooper for two years and completed 13 jumps. He was granted an early discharge in the spring of 1957 because his father had a heart attack, and he had to return to take care of the farm. Eugene married Rosalyn Ida Heying Aug. 12, 1957, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina. To this union were born eight children. Eugene was a long time farmer. He also worked at the Oliver tractor plant in Charles City, and John Deere in Waterloo. He later went back to school for hail insurance adjusting and ultimately owned his own insurance company. Eugene enjoyed fishing, hunting squirrels, playing cards and dancing with Rosalyn (because they learned not to step on each other’s toes). He was a devoted Catholic and a lifelong member of the St. Luke’s Catholic Church. He served on the parish council and was instrumental in the latest planning and renovations to the church. He always enjoyed having family gatherings at the farm in St. Lucas. Many holidays, barbeques, and picnics were held over the years. This included playing games inside and out, and sitting under the shade tree in the front yard. He was very proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Eugene is survived by his children: Steve (Valerie) Marble Rock, Cathy (Jim) Eickman, Mountain Home, Ark., Jodi (Donald) Kriener Ridgeway, Tom (Glenda) Decorah, Jim (Margo) New Hampton, John (Ann) Cedar Rapids and Dean, La Crosse, Wis.; grandchildren: Carrie (Matt) Borntrager, Danielle Bodensteiner, William (Julie) Eickman, Jay Eickman, (fiance Stephanie Dougherty), Darren (Kayla) Kriener, Jenny (Dillon) Hammersland, Kody Bodensteiner, Spencer and Irelynn Bodensteiner; great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Audrey Kriener; sister, Vivian Hemesath, Ossian; brothers and sisters-in-law: Kay Humpal, Decorah, Marion Heying, Sumner, Elsie Timp, Calmar, Cleo (Emily) Heying, Luana, Richard (Linda) Heying, Ossian, Elaine Heying, Calmar, Joyce (Richard) Shindelar, Calmar, Marcie (Larry) Havel, Osage and Donald (Carolyn) Heying, Calmar; and by nieces and nephews.

Eugene was preceded in death by his wife, Rosalyn Bodensteiner, (Sept. 2, 2013); daughter, Carol Ann Bodensteiner (four years old); grandson, Terence Eli Bodensteiner (infancy); daughter-in-law, Darlene Bodensteiner; his parents, John and Rena Bodensteiner; one sister, Germaine (Robert) Hemesath; brother-in-law, Francis Hemesath; mother and father-in-law, Peter and Agnes Heying; brothers and sisters-in-law: Hugo and Lucille Heying, Stanley Humpal, Ruth and Ray Langreck, Irvin Heying, Donald Timp and Larry Heying.