Notes for: Carole Anne Bodine
From Ronny Bodine (July 3, 2023):
Obituary, Thompson - Larson Funeral Home, Minot, ND, of 27 June 2023.
Carole Anne Bodine, 80, passed away in Bismarck, ND on December 1, 2022, after a quiet, courageous battle with cancer. Carole was born in Minot, ND on February 11, 1942, to Charles and Alice (Bergstad) Bodine. The youngest of five children, Carole was well-loved by her siblings who took special care in looking out for her after the passing of their father when Carole was just three-years-old. Carole attended elementary school in Bergen and later at Roosevelt Elementary in Minot, before enrolling at St. Leo's School, where she attended until the opening of Bishop Ryan Catholic High School in 1958. Upon graduation, Carole spent several years working at Bell Telephone in Minot before journeying to California and Colorado, as many did at the time in pursuit of 'something more.' While in Denver, Carole excelled in curling, qualifying for nationals with her team, and continued with the sport when she returned to Minot, winning the Minot Curling Club's International Mixed Bonspiel Championship with her team. Intensely creative, Carole looked at the world differently, seeing people and places through the lens of an artist-which meant she didn't just look at things, she studied them. While quirky and delightful, Carole best captured depictions of serene strength and light in the midst of darkness in her paintings, demonstrating a seriousness and thoughtfulness in her expression through art. A member of the first graduating class at Bishop Ryan, Carole was most proud of her work on The Lion's Den-a mural depicting a pride of lions painted in the school gymnasium. In the years that this mural served as a backdrop to many triumphs and milestones, Carole meanwhile experienced trials, suffering, and hardship that would ultimately lead to her placement at the Gackle Care Center, where she finally gained control over the vices that had long held her back from achieving her dreams. With friendship and encouragement from her caregivers, she began sketching and painting again, and more importantly, began attending Mass regularly and reconnected with her Catholic faith. When her throat cancer returned after an earlier diagnosis and successful treatment, Carole was transferred to a Bismarck hospital for treatment and became a resident at St. Vincent's until the time of her death. She was especially pleased with the Chapel at St. Vincent's and felt blessed by the celebration of daily and Sunday Mass. Even though she did not become a person of means or acclaim; and her journey was not an easy one for her--nor those who cared for her--Carole was loved and ultimately found fulfillment and peace, happily passing along her favorite saying, 'God first the rest will follow.' Blessed to share in her life: her nephew raised like a brother, Charles (Debbie) Bodine; nephews, David (Vicki) Degenstein, Bruce (Brenda) Degenstein, Daniel (Berta) Degenstein, Robert (Mary) Degenstein and Charles (Maxine) Bodine Jr.; nieces, Darla (Leroy) Fricke, Lucinda (John) Halloran, and Bridget (Jimmy) Dawson; along with numerous great-nephews, great-nieces, and cousins. Carole is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Alice; brother, James Bodine; sisters, Lorrayne (Walter) Degenstein, Ardella Bodine and Mary Lou Bodine; niece, Charlotte Degenstein; and stepfather, Napoleon Mizeur. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 29, 2023 at St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church in Minot with Father Jadyn Nelson celebrating. Inurnment will take place at the Bergen Cemetery, Bergen, ND following the Mass. If you desire to offer a memorial in remembrance of Carole, please consider a gift to The Bishop Ryan Fund supporting Bishop Ryan Catholic Schools, St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, or the Bergen City Cemetery.