Our husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Jerome “Jerry” Michael Bodden passed away Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, at the age of 81.
Jerry was born March 18, 1942, to Robert and Mary Bodden in Milwaukee. He was the oldest of ten children. The family lived in several cities in Wisconsin and they eventually settled in Platteville, where Jerry was raised with his siblings. He graduated high school 1960. He later graduated from the University of Wisconsin where he studied applied biology and cytology.
Jerry married Mary Lou Naze in 1968. Later that year, they moved to Lewiston. Where they welcomed their sons Andrew in 1968, and Eric in 1971. They later divorced. Jerry married Susie “Sue” Vargha on Aug. 19, 1978. They welcomed their son Luke in 1980 and daughter Sara in 1983.
He worked for Pathologist Regional Laboratory for over 30 years as a cytologist before retiring. After retirement in 1999, Jerry and his brother, John, started a consulting business called JBJ Management. Their organization managened financial and administrative needs for Idaho Association of Community Rehabilitation Programs, now known as ACCSES-IDAHO, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting the disabled and disadvantaged community.
Jerry’s love for baseball was never ending. He coached all three of his sons in their youth and he became Idaho Babe Ruth District 2 Commissioner in 1978. In 1989, he became Idaho State Babe Ruth Commissioner until 2013. Which then, he became the Pacific Northwest Regional Softball Commissioner and held that position for two years. In 2015, Jerry became Pacific Northwest Regional Commissioner and held that position for four years before retiring from Babe Ruth baseball and softball after more than 40 years around the sport. A life-time honor was given to Jerry in 2011, when he was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Region Roll of Honor.
Jerry purchased land in Elk City after moving to Idaho and enjoyed spending his time there. He and Sue had a cabin built on the property after Sue’s retirement and spent as much time there as possible. Jerry was always putzing around the house and outside. His love for planting and tending to his large garden was priceless. Jerry had a green thumb and enjoyed tending to his rose bushes and flowers, activities his daughter and youngest granddaughter have fond memories of. Jerry’s older grandchildren remember sleepovers with hot tub time, popcorn and chocolate and banana milkshakes.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Robert Bodden, his sister Kathryn Anne, his first wife, Mary, brother-in-law, Frank, and grandson, Avery John. Jerry is survived by his wife of Sue, sons Andrew (Deanna), Eric (Lisa), Luke (Daniele), daughter Sara, 16 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, siblings Mary Gen (Frank), Jane (Paul), Alice (Don), Virginia (Fred), Ruthmary (Kevin), John (Terri), Joseph (Jackie) and Elizabeth (Robert). In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jerry’s name to All Saints Catholic Church, Lewis-Clark Babe Ruth, or OUI, Inc.
Jerry’s celebration of life Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 17, at All Saints Catholic Church, 3330 14th St., Lewiston. A rosary will be recited before the Mass at 10:20 a.m.
Service Information
- Date & Time
- Friday, November 17, 11:00 AM
- Location
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All Saints Catholic Church
3330 14th Street
Lewiston, ID 83501
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- Rosary will begin at 10:20 a.m.
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