Dale Raymond Bodensteiner

Monday, April 1, 2019 4:56 pm

Dale Raymond Bodensteiner, 64, of St. Lucas, passed away March 25, 2019, at the Good Samaritan Society in West Union, where he was a resident for the past two years. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 30, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, with Rev. Aaron Junge presiding. Burial was in St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation was from 3 to 7 p.m., Friday, March 29, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, and also after 9:30 a.m. at the Church Saturday morning. The Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah handled arrangements. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 30, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, in St. Lucas, with Rev. Aaron Junge and Rev. Benedict Croell officiating. Remembrances were offered by Gary Bodensteiner. Mass servers were Savannah Schmitt and Calvin Bodensteiner. Cross bearer was Abraham Schmitt. Organist was Kathy Meyer. Cantors were Hanna, Holly and Autumn Schmitt. St. Luke’s Choir sang “Be Not Afraid,” “Prayer of St. Francis,” “You are Mine,” “O Loving God” and “Glory and Praise to our God.” Lector was Mark Schmitt. Eucharistic ministers were Wilma Meyer, Barb Reicks and Susan Franzen. Offertory gift bearers were Melvin Bodensteiner and Diane Schmitt. Honorary urn bearers were Gail Ramspott, Jane Miller, Greg Schmitt, Glen Schmitt, Bonnie Nagle, Kristy Dietzenbach, Lori Gebel, Eric Bodensteiner, Britt Bodensteiner, James Gilchrist, Emily Honsley, Jeff Bodensteiner, Danielle Cerwinske and Justin Cerwinske. Interment was at St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery, St. Lucas.

Dale Raymond Bodensteiner was born Aug. 13, 1954, to Irvin and Melita (Steinlage) Bodensteiner in West Union. He graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1973. After high school, he helped on the family farm. He then worked at Goodwill in Stanley. Later he worked at Spectrum in Decorah. Dale moved to Decorah to live at Opportunity Homes and began working as a custodian for various businesses in town. Dale was always happy to spend the weekends in St. Lucas with his mother and keep up with his church community. His hobbies included listening to music and working with his toy tractors.

Dale is survived by his mother, Melita Bodensteiner; seven siblings: Diane (Mark) Schmitt, Ft. Atkinson; Gary (Rita) Bodensteiner, Clarksville, Tenn.; Melvin (Janet) Bodensteiner, West Union; Betty (Jim Kortz) Gilchrist, St. Paul, Minn.; Daniel (Cindy) Bodensteiner, Albert Lea, Minn.; Susan (Bob) Cerwinske, Lake City, Minn.; and Joseph (Sandra) Bodensteiner, Eagon, Minn.; 14 nieces and nephews; and 29 great-nieces and nephews.

Dale was preceded in death by his father, Irvin in 1993; sister, Mary (in infancy); brother-in-law, Lee Gilchrist, in 2004.