Gerald Bodensteiner

Gerald "Jerry" Bodensteiner age 55 of New Hampton, IA, died Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at his home. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2020, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler with Rev. Nick Radloff celebrating the Mass. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Friends may greet the family 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 3, 2020, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton where there will be a 4:45 p.m. Rosary followed by a parish scripture service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Tuesday. Respectfully the family asks that attendee's practice social distancing guidelines and to wear a mask. Jerry Bodensteiner was born May 4, 1965, in New Hampton, the son of Linus and Rita (Lechtenberg) Bodensteiner. Growing up on a farm between New Hampton and Lawler, he had seven older siblings and one younger sister. Jerry was born to be a farmer. He loved the land and he loved putting in a hard day’s work — be it tending to the family’s livestock or bringing in the crop. Jerry received his education in New Hampton and was a member of the New Hampton High School Class of 1983 and the school’s FFA chapter. Jerry spent his life farming and driving semi, but it was on the farm where he was most at home. He had a dairy operation for a while, yet what he loved most was growing corn and soybeans. Jerry never married; however, he was the “favorite uncle” to 19 nephews and nieces, who have great memories of visiting him on the farm, where he had all the “toys” — like snowmobiles, ATVs, golf cart and his drone — but it was the time he gave them that they will always treasure. Jerry never said no to a card game — be it euchre, 500 or poker — with his family and friends, and he was up for a round of golf now and then, too. He could tell a story with the best of them, and he had both a contagious laugh and a dry wit that made him a joy to be around. Oh, he could be stubborn, but that was just Jerry. When it comes right down to it, he was a loyal and faithful friend who had a wonderful work ethic, a gritty perseverance and a trustworthiness that told all that knew him that he was a man they could always count on in both good times and bad times. He loved his farm, but he adored his family, and they in turn, loved their brother and their Uncle Jerry unconditionally. In the 2000s, Jerry built a new house on the farm, and he designed it with a large open-space living room so that he could host large gatherings. And for the past dozen or so Christmases, he welcomed his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews home for the annual Bodensteiner gathering. His death has come as a shock to those that loved him and called him a friend, but Jerry, in his 55 years, gave all of them — brothers, sisters, friends, nieces and nephews — memories that will last forever. He was a successful farmer, but what made him extraordinary was the time and love he gave to all those who knew him. He will be dearly missed. Survivors include eight siblings, Ken (Margie) Bodnesteiner of Marion, IA, Janet Shannon of Rochester, MN, Joan (Bob) Lentz of Cedar Falls, Mary (Tom) Deering of Franklin, TN, Larry (Ann) Bodensteiner of The Villages, FL, Kay (Allan) Shindelar of Protivin, Carole (Brian) Evensen of Golden Valley, MN, Christa Bodensteiner of Surfside, SC; nineteen nieces and nephews; special friends, Angie Fredrick and daughter Luca Moody. He was preceded in death by his parents.