Donald Jerome Bodahl

Donald Jerome Bodahl Donald Jerome Bodahl, 92, Grand Forks and formerly of East Grand Forks, died Sunday, December 6, 2009 in Altru Hospital, Grand Forks. Donald Jerome Bodahl was born February 2, 1917, the son of Darwin and (Flaten) Bodahl in Beltrami, Minnesota. In 1922 they moved to East Grand Forks where he attended school and graduated from East Grand Forks Senior High School in 1935. In the summer he worked for his father in the sugar beet fields. In September, 1941, he began to work for Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Company. In 1942 he was transferred to Omaha, Nebraska where Martin Aircraft manufactured B-29 Aircraft. He served in the US Navy from Feb. 1942 until Dec. 1, 1945, serving 3 years in the European Theatre. After discharge from the military, he was employed by American Crystal Sugar in East Grand Forks until his retirement in 1979. Donald and Sylvia Rye were united in marriage in 1950. They purchased a home in East Grand Forks and lived there for 48 years. They lost all their belongings in the flood of 1997, and moved to Grand Forks where they have since resided. In his younger years he was a volunteer fireman, and part of the crew that fought the East Grand Forks States Theatre Fire. His hobbies were woodworking, gardening, playing cards, helping others and enjoying afternoon coffee with Sylvia. Fishing at their lake home was a great joy. Donald was a Life Member and Past Commander of the East Grand Forks VFW Post #3817 and longtime member of East Grand Forks American Legion Post #157. For the past 40 years he was honored and very proud to be a member of the veterans honor guard for deceased veterans. He was an active member of United Lutheran Church and member of it's Mens Club. Jerome is survived by his wife, Sylvia, Grand Forks; sisters, Ora Larson, Park River, ND, Carol Parke, St. Paul, MN, and Joan (Floyd) Fail, Mohave Valley, AZ; many special nieces and nephews; dear caregivers, Allen and Donna Maloney, Cameron Nelson and Aggie Hagstrom. He was preceded in death by his parents. Private Services: will be held in Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks. Interment: will be in Resurrection Cemetery, East Grand Forks. Military Honors: will be presented by VFW Post #3817, and American Legion Post #157, East Grand Forks.