Leo H. Bodden, 94, of Theresa, went home to the Lord on Monday, July 30, 2012 at Kettle Moraine Gardens, Kewaskum.
Leo was born on April 20, 1918, in the town of Theresa, to the late Edmund and Pauline (nee Ritger) Bodden. Leo grew up in Theresa on the family farm and attended local schools. Leo was the loving husband to his wife Dolores (nee Moser) for 70 years. They were married on November 18, 1942 at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Nenno. Together they operated a dairy farm in Theresa and raised a loving family of eight children. Even in his retirement, Leo enjoyed life on the farm and being involved in the daily farm activities with his sons Eugene and Mike. Leo was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church, the Holy Name Society, the Catholic Order of Foresters, and the Knights of Columbus.
Leo's life was dedicated to his family, his love of the land and farming, and his devotion to God, his church, and community. He also enjoyed playing cards, Brewer baseball and Packer football, following the political and financial news, and socializing with family and friends.
Those Leo leaves behind to cherish his memory include his devoted wife, Dolores; and his 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., Debra Stortz) of Lomira, and David Bodden of Lomira. He is further survived by his fifteen grandchildren, Terri Bodden, Linda Bodden, 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 and Kristin Vogt, and Chad Bodden. The great- grandchildren include Alex, Elena, and Nicholas Deheck, Brady and Sophia Robinson, Sydney and Evan Falkowski, Oscar and Chloe Palka, Brookelynn and Kherington Bodden, Madison and Maddox Bodden, and Bianca, Aylah, and Loftyn Arndt. Other survivors include his sisters, Esther Kirsch of St. Lawrence, Loretta Sauer of Fond du Lac, and Alice Bingen of Allenton; a brother, Alfred Bodden of Theresa; sisters-in-laws, Veronica Gindt, Mary Rose Thull, and Margaret (Allen) Konrath; other relatives and friends.
Leo was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Pauline (nee Ritger) Bodden; his parents -in-law, Emil and Mary (nee Berg) Moser; two brothers, Peter (Helen) Bodden and Bernard (Norma) Bodden; two sisters, Eleanor (LeRoy) Miller and Flora (Richard) Johnston; brothers-in-law, Walter Sauer, Norbert Bingen, Anthony Kirsch, Victor (Cyrilla) Moser, Gilbert (Lucina) Moser, Edmund Thull, and Gilbert Gindt; and sisters-in-law, Ann Bodden, Valeria (Ewald) Wolf, Clarice (Herman) Theisen, Betty Ann, and Janet Moser.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, August 3, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church (102 Church St. Theresa, WI 53091). The family will greet relatives and friends at the church only from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the Mass. Burial will be in St. Theresa Memorial Gardens.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to all the caregivers at Kettle Moraine Gardens and the Heartland Hospice.