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Linus C. Bodensteiner, 97

Lead Summary

Linus C. Bodensteiner, age 97 of Elma and formerly of New Hampton, died Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, at Colonial Manor of Elma. 
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Lawler, with Rev. Kyle Digmann celebrating the Mass. The pall will be placed by Linus’ children. Musicians for the service will be Ann Bennett as organist accompanied by Amanda Blazek, cantor. Lectors will be Jackie Grandstrand, Sara Brown and Christa Bodensteiner. Gift bearers for the mass will be Rebekah Shindelar, Courtney Evensen, Michaela Bodensteiner, Amanda Bodensteiner and Brooke Evensen.
Interment with military honors by Harold Redman American Legion Post No. 279, will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers are Kelly Root, Katie Linnen, Ryan Shannon, David Shindelar, Alison Whitaker, Kristin Vanbiesbrouck, Emily Walker, Bryan Lentz and Jeremy Bodensteiner. Honorary Pallbearers are Zach Deering and Jessica Deering.
Friends may greet the family from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Lawler, where there will be a 3 p.m. Parish Scripture Service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Saturday.  
Online condolences for Linus’ family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com.
Linus Carl Bodensteiner was born March 10, 1920, in rural Fayette County, on the Bodensteiner family farm outside St. Lucas. He was the son of Ben and Rose (Rausch) Bodensteiner. 
He received his education in St. Luke’s School in St. Lucas.
Linus served in the United States Army beginning on August 6, 1945. He was honorably discharged as a corporal on November 30, 1946. 
On March 30, 1948, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina, he married Rita Marie Lechtenberg. To this union nine children were born. 
The couple lived, farmed and raised their family just east of New Hampton.
Linus and Rita were a successful team in farming and in family. When they weren’t milking cows or raising children, they were often traveling and enjoying each other’s company. 
They enjoyed visiting friends and neighbors, eating out, dancing, playing games, and they never turned down an opportunity to spend time with family.  
Second only to his love of Rita was Linus’s passion for golf. He was a proud member of New Hampton Country Club for many years and he could often be seen driving through town with the golf cart on the back of his pickup truck.  
Linus was respectful of everyone and respected by all who knew him. His gentle, kind smile will be greatly missed.
Those thankful for having shared in his life are three sons, Kenny (Margie) Bodensteiner of Marion, Larry (Ann) Bodensteiner of Oronoco, Minn. and Jerry Bodensteiner of New Hampton; six daughters, Janet Shannon of Rochester, Minn., Joan (Bob) Lentz of Cedar Falls, Mary Lee (Tom) Deering of Franklin, Tenn., Kay (Allan) Shindelar of Protivin, Carole (Brian) Evensen of Golden Valley, Minn., and Christa Bodensteiner of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; 19 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Corine Deeny of Waterville, MN, Evelyn (Lawrence) Elsbernd of Calmar, and Marion Heying of West Union; sister-in-law, Irene Roethler of Beloit, Wis.; and brother-in-law, Kenny Kuennen of Decorah.

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He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rita on July 24, 2010; three sisters, Betty (Ben) Schaufenbuel, Alice (Louie) Einck and Lorraine Kuennen; brothers, Arnie Bodensteiner, and Dennis Bodensteiner; and brothers-in-law, Donald Deeny and Dennis Heying.

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