Obituary of Jeffrey Erven Bodahl

Jeffrey Erven Bodahl

Jeffrey passed away at the age of 63, comfortably in peace on Wednesday January 24, 2024 @11:57am. Jeff was with family by his side along with the care of HCMC staff and nurses, a blessing to all that were doing Gods work every day. Jeff appreciated everybody’s kindness, where he felt safe, blessed, loved and valued.

Jeffrey was born 5-17-1960, at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina Minnesota, baptized, confirmed, and now celebration of life at Oak Grove Lutheran Church. Thursday April 25, 2024, 10:00 visitation, 11:00 service, luncheon to follow 12:00 VFW 6715 Lake Shore Drive South, Richfield.

63 years of a wonderful but short life, experiencing all the ups and downs, and  was all held together with a lot of love.

Jeff was a great son, an awesome brother, a fun uncle and a loving, caring, supportive husband and father as well a kind friend to many.

The heavens are blessed. Jeff is now with our Lord, wife Karen Bodahl (Sederstrom) mother in law Ebbe, mother and father Erven and Phyllis Bodahl, sister Pattie (Berthiaume), grand parents  Otar and Velda Bodahl, Edna and Jonny Bergquist, aunts and uncles Bob and Ginny (Bodahl), Jerry and Helen (Bodahl), Gloria (Bodahl), Avey (Bodahl), Jim (Moser), Gordy (Goldsmith), Rodger and Barb (Bergquist), and many good friends that have left him too soon.

We all miss his kind and gentle soul. Jeff is survived by two sons Paul and Daniel (Bodahl), brother in law Mark (Sederstrom), sister Jill and Michael (Werth), brother Mike, aunts and uncles Bonnie and Tom (Kuhne), Jim (Bodahl), Larry and Jane (Bodahl), Sharon (Goldsmith), Nephews Branin (Jo), Tyler, Cameron (LeAnn-Skylin), Joe (Kelley-Tessa), Jim (Alex-Marshall), Randy (Catt), and many cousins and friends .

Jeff graduated with the class of 1978 at Richfield High School. Favorites math, social studies, track and field, and the many friends he’s held onto forever. As a teenager Jeff spent many summers growing up and working in Foston MN the beautiful north country where he enjoyed life at it’s best.

He worked at Airport Hospital, where he learned his love for animals. After graduating he went into Car Detailing, he loved anything with a motor, it started with mini bikes to motor cycles, old 57 Ford, snowmobiles, his prize mustang, 4 wheeler, boat, pontoon he enjoyed all the toys. Also his traveling adventures in the Bahamas, California, Vegas, Alaska, Wisconsin, anywhere up North MN was his forever home especially Lake of the Woods.

Jeff soon found his best friend and companion Karen, they both created fun and crazy together. After living in their apartment on Cedar avenue. As their love grew into something special, they married in 1985 along with 100 couples with KQ92 at the Mall of America, bought their home in Richfield and started a family. Jeff couldn’t have been more proud of 2 sons.  Jeff left the car detailing business and went to work at 4Star Stamping. As Karen worked the night shift, Jeff working days he truly loved being home with his boys in the evening from newborns, toddlers, 12 yrs of school- home work, sports, cooking and going out every chance with family and friends especially “The Man Show”.  Jeff and Karen soon purchased their cabin, the family’s new adventure every weekend going up north, grilling, fishing, boating, swimming making new friends-hanging out with sweetheart and teaching his boys a good life.

With heartache loosing his sister Pattie Mom Dad and after many years of planning hopes and dreams of retirement. Jeff, too soon lost his sweetheart Karen to cancer. He retired took up his passion “food” and became the Great Chef, watching cooking shows as well the love of sports never missed a football, hockey, baseball, Nascar, golf and some basket ball. He loved seeing the boys off to work in the morning and when it was nice out, every morning he’d be outside with nature, at his table drinking coffee listing to his LOVE for music, and being kind to all the neighbors.  He truly appreciated and embraced all the family and friends that would stop in for a visit as well the phone calls with funny stories and conversations.

Jeff stated “I’ve taught my boys everything I know”, and passed on being a “Simple man” and a true gentleman. I’m so incredibly proud of Jeff, what I admired the most he did everything right. Our time together was beautiful, filled with laughter, love and unforgettable moments. I believe we didn’t loose Jeff, because we know where he is, although we miss him dearly but just always remember his beautiful kind eyes and sweeet sweet smile on his face…and hugs of tenderness

In the hospital Jeff’s goals were to go home this spring and watch his grass grow…and live to “87”yrs old

Jeff’s kindness for everyone was, wishing us all  the best.

The night before he passed he yelled out in his sleep “OH YEAH”

JEFF WITH A HEAVY HEART MAY THE AFTERLIFE BRING YOU ALL THE JOY AND LOVE YOU DESERVE, TALK TO YOU SOON WE LUV YA!!!

John 3:16 (Jeff’s chosen bible verse)

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. 

CELEBRTION OF JEFF’S LIFE

Oak Grove Lutheran Church. Thursday April 25, 2024, 10:00 visitation, 11:00 service 7045 Lyndale Ave. So, Richfield, luncheon to follow 12:00 VFW 6715 Lake Shore Drive South, Richfield.

From our family to you. Thank You