Eugene Bodensteiner
Eugene Bodensteiner
Eugene Bodensteiner, 81, of West Union, IA, died on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, at the Good Samaritan Society in West Union, IA.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by the Rev. Kyle Digmann on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at St. Luke Catholic Church in St. Lucas.
Interment was in the church cemetery. Casket bearers were Darren Kriener, Kody Bodensteiner, Matt Borntrager, Jay Eickman, Dillon Hammersland, and Spencer Bodensteiner.
Arrangements were handled by Schluter-Balik Funeral Home in Decorah.
Eugene Ben Bodensteiner was born Sept. 10, 1936 in the same house he resided in his entire life near St. Lucas, IA. 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 Co. M 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 on Aug. 12, 1957 at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina. To this union were born eight children.
Eugene was a longtime 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 St. Luke 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) of Marble Rock, IA, Cathy (Jim) Eickman of Mountain Home, Ark., Jodi (Donald) Kriener of Ridgeway, IA, Tom (Glenda) of Decorah, IA Jim (Margo) of New Hampton, IA, John (Ann) of Cedar Rapids, IA, Dean of Lacrosse, Wis.; grandchildren Carrie (Matt) Borntrager, Danielle Bodensteiner, William (Julie) Eickman, Jay Eickman (fiancée Stephanie Dougherty), Darren (Kayla) Kriener, Jenny (Dillon) Hammersland, Kody Bodensteiner, Spencer and Irelynn Bodensteiner; great-grandchildren Alyssa and Audrey Kriener; sister Vivian Hemesath of Ossian IA; brothers- and sisters-in-law Kay Humpal of Decorah, IA, Marion Heying of Sumner, IA, Elsie Timp of Calmar, IA, Cleo (Emily) Heying of Luana, IA, Richard (Linda) Heying of Ossian, IA, Elaine Heying of Calmar, IA, Joyce (Richard) Shindelar of Calmar, IA, Marcie (Larry) Havel of Osage, IA, Donald (Carolyn) Heying of Calmar, IA; nieces and nephews.
Eugene was preceded in death by his wife, Rosalyn Bodensteiner (Sept. 2, 2013); daughter Carol Ann Bodensteiner (4 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. 8u8