Leroy A. Bodeman

April 5, 1931-May 20, 2010

HAYES CENTER, Nebraska -- Leroy A. Bodeman, 79, died May 20, 2010 at the Southern Arizona Veterans Medical Center.

He was born on the family farm in Hayes County, Nebraska on April 5, 1931, the son of the late Chester and Hanna Marie (Bannister) Bodeman. He grew up in Hayes County and graduated from Hayes Center High School in 1949.

He enlisted into the United States Air Force on March 3, 1952 serving in the Korean War and was honorably discharged on March 2, 1956.

On August 25, 1950 he married Roberta Ruth Keefer in McCook, Nebraska and they spent their married life on a farm and ranch operation seven miles southeast of Hayes Center.

He also spent several enjoyable years consigning cattle for both sale barns in McCook where he acquired several friends. He retired in 1993 and moved to Tucson, Arizona in the winter of 1996 where he lived the remainder of his life. Playing cards, spending time with family and friends, and traveling occupied his retirement years.

He had several accomplishments he was especially proud of and talked about them often. Those accomplishments included; cooking for President Eisenhower while in the Air Force; buying cattle for Mary K products, raising the second and third largest cottonwood trees in Nebraska; and helping organize the Senior Center in Hayes Center.

He was a member of the American Legion for 50 years and also served as a member of the VFW and Elks Club.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Roberta on July 15, 1996; his parents; one brother, Allen Bodeman; and two infant grandsons, Kyle and Robert Johnson.

Survivors include two daughters, Carol Lee Karre and fiancé, Donald Mason of McCook, Nebraska,and Marie Ann Loomis and husband, Benjie of Maywood, Nebraska; one brother, Curtis Bodeman and wife, Patty of Hayes Center; six grandchildren, Emilynn Karre, Cody Karre and wife, Janette, Blaine Johnson, Alisha Johnson, Shelley Hale, and Jeremy Loomis and wife, Lindsay; eight great-grandchildren, Alec Karre, Aleigha Karre, Elaina Karre, Ellerie Karre, Ashton Johnson, Lilly Hale, Coy Hale, and Grace Loomis; special friend, Helen Cook of Tucson, Arizona; and relatives and friends.

Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. on Friday at the Union Congregational Church of Christ in Hayes Center, Nebraska with Pastor Jean Miller officiating. Inurnment with military honors will be at the Hayes Center Cemetery.

Memorials may be given in his name at Herrmann Funeral Home in McCook and friends may sign his register during regular office hours.

Herrmann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements