Linus Bodensteiner
March 10, 1920 ~ January 15, 2018
Linus C. Bodensteiner, age 97 of Elma, formerly of New Hampton, IA, died Monday, January 15, 2018, at Colonial Manor of Elma, Iowa.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 20, 2018, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Lawler, with Rev. Kyle Digmann celebrating the Mass. The pall will be placed by Linus' children. Musicians for the service will be Ann Bennett as organist accompanied by Amanda Blazek, cantor. Lectors will be Jackie Grandstrand, Sara Brown and Christa Bodensteiner. Presenting the offertory gifts will be Rebekah Shindelar, Courtney Evensen, Michaela Bodensteiner, Amanda Bodensteiner and Brooke Evensen.
Interment with Military Honors by the Harold Redman American Legion Post #279, will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers are Kelly Root, Katie Linnen, Ryan Shannon, David Shindelar, Alison Whitaker, Kristin Vanbiesbrouck, Emily Walker, Bryan Lentz and Jeremy Bodensteiner. Honorary Pallbearers are Zach Deering and Jessica Deering.
Friends may greet the family 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 19, 2018, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Lawler, where there will be a 3:00 p.m. parish scripture service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Saturday.
Linus Carl Bodensteiner was born March 10, 1920, in rural Fayette County, IA, on the Bodensteiner family farm outside St. Lucas. He was the son of Ben and Rose (Rausch) Bodensteiner. He received his education in St. Luke’s School in St. Lucas.
Linus served in the United States Army beginning on August 6, 1945. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal on November 30, 1946.
On March 30, 1948, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina, IA, he married Rita Marie Lechtenberg. To this union nine children were born. The couple lived, farmed and raised their family just east of New Hampton.
Linus and Rita were a successful team in farming and in family. When they weren't milking cows or raising children, they were often traveling and enjoying each other's company. They enjoyed visiting friends and neighbors, eating out, dancing, playing games, and they never turned down an opportunity to spend time with family.
Second only to his love of Rita was Linus's passion for golf. He was a proud member of New Hampton Country Club for many years and he could often be seen driving through town with the golf cart on the back of his pickup truck.
Linus was respectful of everyone and respected by all who knew him. His gentle, kind smile will be greatly missed.
Those thankful for having shared in his life are three sons, Kenny (Margie) Bodensteiner of Marion, IA, Larry (Ann) Bodensteiner of Oronoco, MN and Jerry Bodensteiner of New Hampton; six daughters, Janet Shannon of Rochester, MN, Joan (Bob) Lentz of Cedar Falls, Mary Lee (Tom) Deering of Franklin, TN, Kay (Allan) Shindelar of Protivin, Carole (Brian) Evensen of Golden Valley, MN and Christa Bodensteiner of Myrtle Beach, SC; nineteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; three sisters, Corine Deeny of Waterville, MN, Evelyn (Lawrence) Elsbernd of Calmar, Marion Heying of West Union; sister-in-law, Irene Roethler of Beloit, WI; brother-in-law, Kenny Kuennen of Decorah.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rita on July 24, 2010; three sisters, Betty (Ben) Schaufenbuel, Alice (Louie) Einck and Lorraine Kuennen; brothers, Arnie Bodensteiner, and Dennis Bodensteiner; brothers-in-law, Donald Deeny and Dennis Heying.
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To the Family of Linus Bodensteiner….With Caring thoughts of sympathy for you and your family
Remembering you and your family in heartfelt thoughts of sympathy, and hoping it helps to know that others care and share your loss. Please know of our thoughts and prayers at this time of sadness. As we grieve we must also rejoice as your dad is embraced by His Heavenly Father. Life has not ended it has merely changed and we will be reunited again someday. May He Rest in Peace. If there is anything I can do please contact me. In Faith
Di and Reecee Kovarik and special friend Roger Craft
To all the Family of Linus Bodensteiner:
I have known this family for over 50 years and have marveled in how Linus and Rita could mold such an outstanding family of children to become amazing citizens, caring individuals, and prosperous in many walks of life. But one must realize that is done by example, and your parents were the role models. Linus lived a good, long life. I was amazed in talking to him just over a year ago, how he still missed Rita so terribly. He is joined with her now. My sincere sympathy to all of – Kenny, Janet, Joan, Mary, Larry, Kay, Carole, Krista, and Jerry and families – You will always miss him and grieve your loss. Cherish all the great memories you had with him, as he is in God’s hands now.
I sang for Linus through Hospice. He loved the guitar and my singing. It brought sweet memorys. Of his daughters that also played guitar. I so enjoyed our visits
He had a very sweet spirit
he reminded me so much of my father. I send love and God’s blessings to the family
Cathy Hoffert
Uncle Linus was a good athlete. I remember watching him play baseball (for St Lucas) against Festina one Sunday afternoon long ago. He was playing second base and there was a ground ball between him and first base that he couldn’t quite get to. So he threw his glove at the ball. Not supposed to do that.
We will not be able to make it up there from Georgia, and we send our condolences to all our cousins. Know that we love you and are praying for you and Uncle Linus and Aunt Rita.
God bless everyone of you.
Sylvan and Connie Thuente and family.
Macon, Georgia
I will always remember my Grandpa has a soft-spoken, kind person who is specially enjoyed playing cards and having his hair combed for a penny a minute:). A memory I have as a small child is getting a butz, or a gentle tapping of foreheads, from Grampa.
My thoughts & Prayers are with you Kristy & your family. Sorry for the loss of your dad.
Sorry for the loss of your dad. My thoughts & Prayers are with you Krista. God Bless.
My deepest sympathies to the Bodensteiner family. Many fond memories at your house and farm. Peace to all of you. Sharon Huber
My deepest sympathies to the Bodensteiner family. Many fond memories at your house and farm. Peace to all of you. Sharon Huber
I always remember your parents as being very kind and loving to their children. That is the highest honor we can ask of parents.
Uncle Linus, I will always have fond memories of you. You were special to me because you were my godfather, and you were always so kind, gentle and caring. I remember as a child I would get to spend a week in the summer with you and Rita at your home on the farm. Rita was also such a kind loving, happy person. I remember her as always smiling. I felt privileged to be able to be spend that time with and your family. I felt special. I got to go with your family on an outing to the Grotto at West Bend, even shopping to a large store once. I can still picture the room in which I slept in your upstairs, and the lay out of your house and the out buildings. I also see myself in the dress I wore to go to Church with you, and I remember helping take care of Kenny and Janet. Last, because you were my godfather, you gave me a gift each Christmas. That was so special, one year a pr of pajamas, another year a sweater of which I can still describe. God has blessed me and all of the Bodensteiner family with many wonderful, loving , caring relatives, not to be forgotten, but cherished in memories. May all our relatives who have gone before us rest in peace! Mary Jane (Schaufenbuel) Mueller (my dear mother, Elizabeth, was a sister to Linus)
Our sympathy to you, Ken, Marge and family.
We are in Az for the winter and just read about your dad in the Witness.
Apologize for the lateness of this message.
May he rest in peace”
Chuck and Judy Rogers