BODENSTEINER, Kilian Peter, 1932-2017

REICKS, JIRAK, EICHENBERGER, UNGERER, HOWE, CANOW, HAUGEN, THOMPSON, BUCHEIT, FENCL, JIRAK, WOODS, UNGERER, ARENDS, WINTER, PECHOTA, CUVELIER, HADACEK, BOHR, DIETZENBACH, HAUER

Posted By: Bruce Kuennen (email)
Date: 2/9/2017 at 07:36:38

Obituary for Kilian P Bodensteiner
Kilian P. Bodensteiner of St. Lucas, Iowa, age 84, died peacefully at his home on February 7, 2017 surrounded by his loving family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 13, 2017 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church (307 East Main St.) in St. Lucas, IA with Rev. Joseph Hauer and Rev. Kyle Digmann celebrating the Mass. The pall will be placed by Kilian’s wife Elaine and his children. Lectors will be grandchildren Cara Howe and Zac Reicks. Offertory gifts will be presented by Elizabeth Bodensteiner, Emily Ungerer, and Darci (Jirak) Woods. Music will be provided by Bob Huinker and the church congregation.

Interment will be in St. Luke’s Church Cemetery with his 12 grandsons serving as pallbearers: Ben and Zac Reicks; Clayton and Joey Jirak; Jesse, Shane, and Noah Eichenberger; Adam and Jacob Ungerer; Nick, Ryan, and Alex Bodensteiner. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Kilian’s 15 granddaughters: Cara Howe; Kristi (Howe) Canow; Erin (Howe) Haugen; Alison (Reicks) Thompson; Abby (Reicks) Bucheit; Annie (Reicks) Fencl; Victoria Jirak; Darci (Jirak) Woods; Hannah Eichenberger; Hilary, Elizabeth, and Laura Beth Bodensteiner; Brittney and Emily Ungerer; and Emma Arends. Military rites will be conducted by Aloysius Schmitt American Legion Post # 691 of St. Lucas.

Friends may greet the family from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 12, 2017 at St Luke’s Catholic Church, St. Lucas with a parish scripture service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass on Monday.

Kilian Peter Bodensteiner was born on April 22nd, 1932 on the family farm three miles south of St. Lucas, the son of Henry and Julia (Winter) Bodensteiner.

He received his education at the St. Luke’s Catholic School in St. Lucas, graduating from high school in 1950. Kilian was an outstanding amateur baseball pitcher. At the age of 20 he was offered a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, but was forced to turn it down because he was needed on the farm.

Kilian farmed with his dad until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was inducted into service on February 11, 1953 and was stationed in Japan for 18 months during the Korean Conflict. Kilian received his Honorable Discharge on December 31, 1954.

Kilian married Elaine Pechota on February 14, 1955 at Assumption Church in Little Turkey, IA. To this union, nine children were born. Kilian and Elaine took over the family farm after the death of Kilian’s father in 1961, and they resided on the farm for their entire married life. While farming, Kilian was also employed by the St. Lucas Creamery and operated a canned milk route for many years. He then drove a bulk milk route for AMPI of Fredericksburg until his retirement in August of 2000. Kilian loved to visit with the many farmers on his milk route and always had an extra bag of candy to share with the children he encountered during the day. He took great satisfaction in the endless miles he drove without ever experiencing a serious accident. After his retirement, he spent many contented summers helping his son Randy on his farm in northern Minnesota where he made many new friends. Kilian especially valued the gift of friendship over the years with the countless people he met throughout his lifetime.

Kilian and Elaine enjoyed traveling, especially visiting their families in Texas, Washington, Minnesota, California, and Wisconsin. Kilian prided himself on attending as many Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, graduations (high school and college), and weddings of his grandchildren as he possibly could.

His hobbies included reading, watching sporting events, playing cards, attending his grandchildren’s activities, and spending time with family and friends. One of Kilian’ greatest successes in life was his 37 years of sobriety that began on January 30, 1980 and continued until his death on February 7th, 2017. He credited his strong work ethic, his supportive family, and his unwavering trust in God to help free him from the burdens of addiction.

He was an active member of the St. Lucas Rosary Society, the American Legion Post # 691, a lifelong member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus.

Kilian’s survivors include Elaine, his wife of 62 years, nine children: Barb (Tommy) Howe, Houston, TX, Lynnie (John) Reicks, Lawler, IA, Mike (Laura), Washington, TX, Kathy (Stan) Jirak, Monroe, WA, Becky (Jeff) Eichenberger, New Hampton, IA, Randy, Gonvick, MN, Julie (Marty) Ungerer, West Salem, WI, Jack (Sherri), Nederland, TX, and Terri Arends, Mason City, IA; twenty-seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. One sister, Delores Cuvelier, Lawler, IA, sister-in-law Betty Hadacek, sisters and brothers-in-law; Jeanne and Jim Bohr, Protivin, IA, and Donna and Loren Dietzenbach, New Hampton, IA.

Kilian was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Bernice (Hauer), his brother Henry; one sister-in law, Janet Bodensteiner; three brothers-in-law, Greg Hauer, Bob Cuvelier, and Charles Hadacek.

Source: Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home

Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home Obituary
 

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