Dolores Elizabeth Bodden, 94, of Theresa, went home to the Lord on September 14, 2014 at Kathy Hospice in West Bend.
Dolores was born November 18, 1919 in the town of Herman, to the late Emil and Mary (nee Berg) Moser. Dolores grew up in Nenno, Wisconsin on the family farm with two brothers and six sisters. She attended St. Peter and Paul Parish School. She became the loving wife to Leo Bodden on November 18, 1942 at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Nenno. They were married for 70 years, when Leo passed away in July, 2012. Together they operated a dairy farm in Theresa and raised a loving family of eight children. Dolores was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church, the St Ann's Sodality, the parish choir, and the quilting group.
Throughout her life, Dolores enjoyed life on the farm and being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother as well as a friend to many. She had a "green thumb" for gardening, cooked delicious meals for a large family, baked homemade desserts for family and church events, enjoyed quilting, reading, music, and socializing with family and friends. She was a caring friend, often visiting the sick or homebound. She was well-known for her friendly and newsy letters and birthday cards to children, grandchildren away at college, and other family members. Dolores led a life of selfless and joyful devotion to her God and family. She welcomed everyone into her home, and was usually prepared to serve a home-cooked meal. While Dolores lived a simple life, her kindness, acceptance of others, and joy in living made a grand impression on her family and friends.
Those Dolores leaves behind to cherish her memory include her eight children; Robert (Janice) Bodden of West Bend, Mary (Gerald) Falkowski of West Bend, Michael (Sandy) Bodden of West Bend, Joan Bodden of Kewaskum, Eugene (Linda) Bodden of Theresa, Rose (David) Vogt of West Bend, Mark Bodden (FiancAC.e, Debra Stortz) of Lomira, and David Bodden of Lomira.
She is further survived by her fifteen grandchildren; Terri Bodden, Linda Bodden (FiancAC. Nick Griffie), Stephanie (Brent) Robinson, Andrew (Sara) Falkowski, Matthew Falkowski, Patrick (Sarah) Falkowski, Greg Bodden, Jill (Jeff) Palka, Timothy (Linda) Bodden, Donald (Sarah) Bodden, Shelley (Kevin) Arndt, Nathan (Amanda) Bodden, Katie Vogt(Ben Schneider), Kristin Vogt (FiancAC., Ben Plahmer), and Chad Bodden (fiancAC.e, Ashley Gravelle).
The nineteen great- grandchildren include Alex, Elena, and Nicholas Deheck, Brady and Sophia Robinson, Sydney and Evan Falkowski, Oscar, Chloe, and Abigail Palka, Brookelynn and Kherington Bodden, Madison and Maddox Bodden, Walter, Bianca and Aylah, Lofton Arndt, and Ella Bodden.
Other survivors include her three sisters; Veronica Gindt of Thiensville, Mary Rose Thull of St. Michaels, and Margaret Konrath of West Bend; three sisters-in-law; Esther Kirsch of St. Lawrence, Loretta Sauer of Fond du Lac, and Alice Bingen of West Bend; other relatives and friends.
Dolores was preceded in death by her parents; Emil and Mary (nee Berg) Moser; her parents-in-law, Edmund and Pauline (nee Ritger) Bodden; brothers, Victor (Cyrilla) Moser, Gilbert (Lucina) Moser; sisters, Valeria (Ewald) Wolf, Clarice (Herman) Theisen, Betty Ann, and Janet Moser; brothers-in-law, Peter (Helen) Bodden, Bernard (Norma) Bodden, and Alfred (Ann) Bodden; sisters-in-law, Eleanor (LeRoy) Miller and Flora (Richard) Johnston; brothers-in-law, Walter Sauer, Norbert Bingen, Anthony Kirsch, Edmund Thull, Gilbert Gindt, and Allen Konrath.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, September 19, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church (102 Church St., Theresa, WI). Visitation will be at the church from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the Mass. Burial will be in St. Theresa Memorial Gardens on Saturday September 20, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to all the caregivers at Kettle Moraine Gardens and the Kathy Hospice, as well as Dr. Gibson for his years of medical care and compassion.