Jeanne Beth (Stirewalt) Bodle passed into God’s loving arms surrounded by family on January 10th, 2016 at the Masonic Home in Helena, MT after a short illness. Jeanne was born on October 22, 1933 in Crosby, Minnesota to Clarence J. and Ruth (Chenevert) Stirewalt. Jeanne joined a brother Jim and was followed soon after by brothers Den, John, Bob and Rick. Jeanne grew up on a small farm in rural Deerwood, MN and attended schools in Deerwood and Crosby graduating from C-I High School in 1951.
While working as a telephone switchboard operator that summer, Jeanne met and married Albert R. Bodle after a quick courtship and just before he shipped out for Korea. When Al returned the summer of 1952, they moved to the farm in Little Pine Township where they spent the next 20 years living, loving, raising six kids and making a living doing whatever it took to survive. The summer of 1972, Al, Jeanne and the family realized a long time dream by moving to Western Montana where they would spend the rest of their years together.
Jeanne was an extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She was an exceptional cook, quilter and homemaker. Her family was the single most important aspect of her life and she made sure every single one of us knew and believed that on a daily basis. The life that she and dad shared lasted over 64 years and together through example, taught each of us how to love, be a good parent, a good human being, appreciate a sense of humor, love old time fiddle music, do our best and that the family always came first. Jeanne leaves a legacy that will live on through each succeeding generation to follow.
Jeanne is survived by her husband Albert; children Willie, Joe (Debbie), Tari (Mike) Conroy, Albert Jr. (Mary Huth), Laura (George) Glueckert and Shari (Frank) Truax. Jeanne’s favorite people in the world were her grandchildren: Barry, Christopher, Barbara Jeanne, Scott, Kelly, Luke, Jake, Becci, Jamie, Brad, Bob, Kristie, Thayer, Chase, Aspen, Arin, Mike and Taylor as well as 17 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. She is also survived by four brothers and their wives, Stirewalts all: Jim and Betty, John and Dixie, Bob and Bonnie and Rick and Brenda, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Ruth Stirewalt, brother Dennis Stirewalt and daughter-in-law Jean Paugh Bodle.
A memorial for Jeanne will be held on February 6th, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Masonic Home, 2010 Masonic Home Road, Helena, Montana, with a reception immediately following. The family would like to express its gratitude to the staff of the Masonic Home and Rocky Mountain Hospice for their extraordinary care of Jeanne. In lieu of memorials, the family asks when you find pleasure in a child’s laugh, the beauty of a sunset or the wind in the trees, that you remember Mom and the wonder that she brought into this world.