Eugene Bodensteiner

Eugene Bodensteiner, age 81, of West Union, IA, died on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at the Good Samaritan Society in West Union, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, Iowa, with Rev. Kyle Digmann presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church and also on Wednesday after 9:30 a.m., at the church. Eugene Ben Bodensteiner was born September 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 3 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, 3 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, North Carolina. He served as an Airborne Paratrooper for 2 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 August 12,1957 at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina. To this union were born 8 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, IA, Cathy (Jim) Eickman, Mountain Home, AR, Jodi (Donald) Kriener Ridgeway, IA, Tom (Glenda) Decorah, IA Jim (Margo) New Hampton, IA, John (Ann) Cedar Rapids, IA, Dean, Lacrosse WI. Grand children 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 IA, Brothers and sisters-in-law: Kay Humpal, Decorah, IA, Marion Heying, Sumner, IA, Elsie Timp, Calmar, IA, Cleo (Emily) Heying, Luana, IA, Richard (Linda) Heying, Ossian, IA, Elaine Heying, Calmar, IA, Joyce (Richard) Shindelar, Calmar, IA, Marcie (Larry) Havel, Osage, IA, Donald (Carolyn) Heying, Calmar, IA. nieces and nephews. Eugene was preceded in death by his wife: Rosalyn Bodensteiner, (September 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, Larry Heying.