Bernice "Bunny" Bodensteiner

Bernice Veronica"Bunny" Bodensteiner, 88, of Walhalla, ND, passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2015, at Valley 4000 in Grand Forks, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, September 5, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Walhalla, ND. Visitation will be held Friday, September 4th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will be held in the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Walhalla Senior Center, Valley 4000, or charity of your choice.
Bunny was born March 5, 1927, in Langdon, ND to Peter and Clara (Kartes) Sauer. She grew up in the Mt. Carmel area, attended school in Mt. Carmel and graduated from St. Alphonsus High School in Langdon. She continued her education at Valley City State College, Valley City, ND and earned her teaching degree. She taught at Fremont Township School for two years near Walhalla, before meeting the love of her life.
On June 25, 1947, Bunny married Joseph Bodensteiner at Mt. Carmel, ND. They made their home on the farm west of Walhalla for the rest of their married life. Her last few years have been spent at Valley 4000 in Grand Forks, where she developed new friendships and a second home.
Her greatest passions in life were her children, and grandchildren and she devoted her life to being a homemaker and raising her family. She loved to spend time with family and friends, sewing, quilting, gardening, square dancing and card games with special friends and family. Bunny was an active member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Altar Society, and choir. The family was named Outstanding ND KC Family of the Year. She also served as a board member of the Pembilier Nursing Center and treasurer of the Senior Citizen Center. An additional adventure and joy was managing the Walhalla Country Club for two years with Joe and some of the girls.
She is survived by her children: John (Bonnie), Danville, IL, Jolean (Neil) Pederson, Fargo, ND, Jean (Stan) Bartow, Laverne, OK, Ellen (Monte) Sipma, Minot, ND, Janice (Jim) Halvorson, Wahpeton, ND, Maureen (Don) Larrabee, Thompson, ND, Linda Conneran, Grand Forks, Carol (Mark) Egeland, Fisher, MN, Ronie (Kim), Fosston, MN; 30 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; sisters: Pat Bodensteiner, Walhalla and Sr. Carmelita, Hankinson, ND.
Preceding her in death was her loving husband, Joe; son-in-law, John Conneran; grandson, Lucas Bartow, one sister, three brothers, and other special in-laws.