Sara J. Bodlak 1954-2011

BODLAK MILLER PRASTER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/24/2012 at 10:34:21

Sioux City Journal
July 31, 2011

Sara J. Bodlak, 57, of Sioux City passed away on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at a Sioux City hospital, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with Chaplain Stacey Gerhart of St. Luke's Regional Medical Center officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Sara was born April 23, 1954 to Floyd and Gloria (Miller) Praster in Sioux City, where she attended public schools.

Sara married Larry E. Bodlak on Aug. 10, 1985, in Sioux City. Sara worked as a waitress at Sioux Harbor Truck Stop and later for King Industries. She worked for Interbake Foods for 26 1/2 years before retiring in 2002.

After retirement, she devoted her life to caring for her mother until she passed away in December of 2007. She then took care of her brother Joe during his brief battle with cancer in 2009. The great love she had for her family showed in her unselfish dedication in ensuring that her family was always taken care of, especially her grandson, Christopher, who was her pride and joy.

Sara was very passionate about her flowers and meticulous lawn which brought her many compliments. She was also an avid gardener for many years until she decided having a pool in that space to share with her family was more important. She was a vibrant lady, who made friends easily.

She loved to stay active and had recently taken up the hobby of quilt making. She was very proud of her beautiful crazy quilts that she had made for her family. She had even gone back to work part-time for Lunch Time Solutions to stay busy until her illness forced her to leave that position. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Larry of Sioux City; her son, Michael Praster and his wife, Kathryn, of Sioux City; stepson, Larry Bodlak and his wife, Kathy, of Sioux City; stepdaughter, Sabrina Bodlak of Georgia; brother, Jim Praster and his wife, Dorothy, of North Platte, Neb.; brother, Scott Praster and his wife, Karen, of Sioux City; grandson, Christopher Praster of Sioux City; stepgrandchildren, Zack, Crystal, Seth, Cora, Trinity and Liviya; sister-in-law, Pam Ades of Cherokee, Iowa; nephews, Nick Praster, Ben Praster, James Praster and Brian Praster; nieces, Sarena Praster, Stephanie Palmersheim and Amanda Marquette; her lifelong best friend, Teresa Holbrook; and her two faithful companions, Rocky and Sassy.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Craig and Joe Praster; sister, Frieda Praster-Barbee; and granddaughter, Brianna Praster.

Pallbearers will be Michael, Christopher, Nick and Jim Praster, Dan Murphy and Lanny Bodlak. Honorary pallbearers will be Sarena Praster.

Sara's family would like to extend a special thank you to all the wonderful nurses and techs on the St. Luke's 4A oncology floor for all the wonderful care she received from them.