Elaine M. Bodensteiner(1934-2020)
BODENSTEINER, PECHOTA, KOUDELKA, HOWE, REICKS, JIRAK, EICHENBERGER, UNGERER, NEDERLAND, ARENDS, HADACEK, BOHR, DIETZENBACH, CUVELIER, HAUER
Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/21/2020 at 14:29:14
Elaine M. Bodensteiner, 85, of St. Lucas, died on Mother’s Day, May 10, 2020, at the Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah, from complications of a stroke suffered July 21, 2017. A private family wake and burial service was Friday, May 15, with internment at St. Luke’s Cemetery, St. Lucas. Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions a memorial mass and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home and Crematory was entrusted with arrangements. Please leave online condolences for the Bodensteiner family at hugebackfuneralhome.com.
Elaine Mary Bodensteiner was born Dec. 2,1934, on the family farm two miles north of Little Turkey, the oldest daughter of Ben and Evelyn (Koudelka) Pechota. She received her education at the Utica Country School No. 7 and graduated from Rudolphinium Catholic High School, Protivin, in 1952. After high school Elaine worked at St. Joseph Hospital in New Hampton as a nurse’s aide.
While at a dance in Spillville, Elaine met the love of her life, Kilian Bodensteiner. They were united in marriage Monday, Feb. 14, 1955, at Assumption Church in Little Turkey. The couple was blessed with nine children, which they raised on their family farm three miles southeast of St. Lucas, where they resided for their entire married life.
Elaine resumed her career in nursing in 1967 as a nurse’s aide at the Good Samaritan Society in West Union. In 1990 she enrolled into the associate nursing program at NICC. She had many concerns about completing the program due to changes in technology and the challenging course work. With determination, perseverance and encouragement from her husband and family, she graduated in December of 1992, all while continuing to work at her job as a nurse’s aide. Colleen Busta, her lifelong friend, made her graduation day from N.I.C.C. extra special by singing at the ceremony, just as she did at Elaine and Kilian’s wedding in 1955.
Elaine began her R.N. career at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home, West Union, in 1993 before eventually retiring in 2008, working a total of 41 years at her beloved “Good Sam” nursing home. She continued her devotion to the nursing profession by working part-time for five additional years at other long-term care facilities in the area before finally retiring for good in 2013.
Her love for geriatrics eventually came full circle, when she chose to take care of her husband Kilian in their home during the last two years of his life, aided by many helpful caretakers.
Elaine’s compassion and dedication to the nursing profession was unparalleled. She served as an inspiration to her many co-workers, classmates, friends and family members. She was especially proud that her six daughters all followed in her footsteps in various healthcare occupations.
Elaine was an avid reader, and enjoyed flower gardening and watching sports. She had a passion for Bridge and was a loyal member of two area bridge clubs in Lawler and Decorah. She also loved a friendly game of poker, especially when the stakes were high. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s activities, and spending time with family and friends.
Elaine and Kilian enjoyed traveling, especially visiting their families in Texas, Washington, Minnesota, California, Wisconsin and Illinois. Their goal was to attend as many baptisms, first communions, confirmations, graduations (high school and college) and weddings of their grandchildren as they possibly could.
Her love for her children was deep and unconditional. She kept up on their accomplishments and her grandchildren’s as well. She loved sending cards, letters and gifts to everyone. “Grandma B” was generous to a fault. She felt her role as wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother was her most important job.
She was an active member of the St. Lucas Rosary Society, the American Legion Auxiliary, a 50-year member of the Catholic Daughters and a life-long member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church.
Elaine’s survivors include her nine children: Barb (Tommy) Howe, Houston, Texas, Lynnie (John) Reicks, Lawler, Mike (Laura), Washington, Texas, Kathy (Stan) Jirak, Monroe, Wash., Becky (Jeff) Eichenberger, New Hampton, Randy, Gonvick, Minn., Julie (Marty) Ungerer, West Salem, Wis., Jack (Sherri), Nederland, Texas and Terri Arends, Mason City; 27 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren with two more on the way; three sisters: Betty Hadacek, Protivin, Jeanne (Jim) Bohr, Protivin and Donna (Loren) Dietzenbach, New Hampton; and one sister-in law, Dolores Cuvelier, Lawler; along with her many nieces and nephews.
Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Kilian, Feb. 7, 2017; brothers and sisters-in-law: Charles Hadacek, Bob Cuvelier, Henry and Janet Bodensteiner and Greg and Bernice Hauer.
Elaine’s family would like to extend a special thank you to all the caretakers, nurses and medical professionals for the wonderful care and many acts of kindness shown to her during her lifetime.
While her family was unable to be present at her side during her final days because of the COVID-19 restrictions, they will always be extremely grateful for the care and love shown to Elaine by the staffs of Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home and the Winneshiek County Home Health and Hospice Agency during these challenging times.
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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