Notes for: Loretta Ann Bodine
From Ronny Bodine:
Obituary, Minot (N. Dakota) Daily News of 22 April 2015.
Loretta Ann Effertz Oct. 29, 1926 - April 17, 2015
Loretta Ann Effertz, 88, of Velva, died Friday, April 17, 2015, in her home. Born and raised on a farm south of Voltaire, ND, Loretta said she grew up "a tomboy and mother nature's child." She was the 7th child of 18 born to Frank "Pop" and Elizabeth Bodine. She graduated from Velva High School and Minot Teachers college (now Minot State University), then taught school for three years. In October 1950 she married Gerald "Pat" Effertz and moved to his parents homestead farm northwest of Velva. Pat and Loretta were married 65 years and he always said she was such a classy lady. Together they raised 7 boys and 6 girls who helped them build a small family farm into a crop and livestock ranch that still sustains several family members. Like her siblings, Loretta inherited her strong faith and devout love of Our Lord from both her parents. She was a lifelong member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, where she taught CCD and was an active volunteer with the Confraternity of Christian Mothers. Her love of learning about her faith and heritage prompted trips to Ireland, France, Germany, Yugoslavia (Medjugorje) and Israel. Well-read and a gifted writer, Loretta wrote her mother Elizabeth's American Mother of the Year's acceptance speech. She also penned many original poems for birthdays, graduations and special events. Her children could expect a nice letter on their birthday and at other times a letter of guidance. She enjoyed discussing history and geography but remained humble about her knowledge. Watching her sons and daughters, and later the grandkids play sports was a favorite pastime. Loretta also loved to watch Minnesota Twins baseball and her favorite golfers. A true joy in her life was getting together with her siblings at family reunions and the 4th of July which involved baseball, shenanigans, storytelling and an occasional trip to the casino. She was an avid bridge player, she loved word games, working a crossword puzzle and delighted in solving the Wheel of Fortune puzzles before the contestants. Loretta loved to garden. She preserved a wide variety of produce from a garden which provided food year round for her family. She was an accomplished scratch cook who whipped up meals on short notice for unexpected farm help and guests. Plants, flowers and birds were her true passion-- the more unusual, the better. She loved to see if she could make things grow; she grew an orange, apricot and pineapple tree. She raised puppies and chickens and also sold eggs, milk and cream for additional family income. Family was very important to her and she was proud that her children have remained close and especially delighted that her grandchildren are such great friends who enjoy spending time together. Survivors: husband, Gerald "Pat" Effertz, Velva, ND; sons, Neil (Jan), Bismarck, ND, Roger (Shelly), Deering, ND, Kevin (Karen), Velva, ND, Alan (Monica), Velva, ND, Randy (Nita), Sawyer, ND, Dale (Kaye), Mandan, ND, and Chad, Velva, ND; daughters; Nita (Kevin) Effertz-Cordill, Custer, SD, Nadine (Jeff) Dockter ,Minot, ND, Michelle (Dash) Effertz-Comford, Washburn, ND, Rebecca (Richard) Peterson, Mandan, ND, Heidi Reinbold, Bismarck, ND and Stephanie (Bryan) Dean, Velva, ND; 34 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; brothers, Francis (Virginia) Bodine, Edina, MN, Paul Bodine, Minot, ND, John (Betty) Bodine, Barnsville, MN, Mark Bodine, Buffalo, WY, Robert (Barbara) Bodine, Velva, ND, Ron (Carol) Bodine, Bismarck, ND, Jerry (Peggy) Bodine, Hazen, ND, Dale (Sandy) Bodine, Annadale, MN and Bill (Kim) Bodine, Velva, ND; sisters, Jeanette Warlick, Claremont, CA, Monica Goetze, Eugene, OR and Audrey (Tom) McLaughlin, Thousand Oaks, CA; brother-in-law, Bob Bernards, St. Paul, MN. Preceded in death by parents, Frank Bodine, Elizabeth Bodine, brothers, Chuck (Donna) Bodine, sisters, Luella (Emmanuel) Fix, Viola (Phil) Prescott, Dolores Bernards, Patricia (Sr. Bernadette) Bodine; sister-in-law, Debbie Bodine; brothers-in-law, Wesley Warlick and Floyd Goetze. Memorials in Loretta's name can be made to Holy Cross Cemetery, Velva, N.D. or to the Velva American Legion Baseball Program or to the St. Cecilia's Christian Mothers, Velva, N.D. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, April 24, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Velva, ND. Visitation: Thursday, April 23, 2015, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. all at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Velva. Interment: Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Velva.