Dolores Ailene Bodell

Dolores “Dee” Bodell was born January 26, 1935 on a farm in Mobridge, South Dakota where she grew up as the youngest of six siblings, working on the family farm and as she grew old enough, she even helped deliver fresh milk to customers. In school, she learned to play several instruments and by the time she reached high school, she was playing both drums and piccolo in the band. After graduation from Mobridge High School in 1953, she attended the University of South Dakota for 2 years, earning an Associate’s Degree in Education. In College, she met her husband of 36 years, Clint Clark. They were happily married in 1955 in Bainbridge, Georgia, and raised two children-a son, Clint, and a daughter, Cathy. Those two children grew up in a family dedicated to music with husband Clint playing the trumpet and Dee on the piano. As young Clint and Cathy grew in their music skills, the whole family would often sit together playing their favorite tunes. As the children grew, Dee began to work outside the home, and while in Des Moines, Dee became involved in the Iowa Motel/Hotel Association. She rose up in that organization and became interested in doing the same work after moving to Michigan. Shortly after arriving there, she was elevated to the Presidency of the Michigan Hotel/Motel Lodging and Tourism Assocation. With this job, she traveled extensively and because of Dee’s work, the organization grew to become one of the largest tourism/lodging related associations in the United States. Dee loved all kinds of music, singing or playing. She could yodel, play the guitar, and often sat at the piano playing tunes from memory to please all those listening. She loved animals, enjoyed visiting with family and friends, dancing, skiing, traveling and playing a variety of card games, as well as golf and tennis. As her son and daughter grew older and married, she enjoyed spending time with her new extended family-especially her grandchildren. She will be remembered as a beautiful, classy, caring, loving, and strong woman. Dee passed away on Monday, June 25, 2018 at Heritage Pointe Assisted Living & Memory Care in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 83 years, 4 months, and 30 days. She was preceded in death by parents Gottfried & Emma (Pietz) Stoecker, brothers Eugene and Milton Stoecker, sisters Olivia Huber, Shirley Durbrow, and Violet Stoecker. Dee is survived by her children; Clinton S. (Sheree) Clark and Catherine A. (Richard) Keiser, former husband Clinton L. Clark, grandchildren; Lindsay (David) Bakker, Tyler (Justine) Clark, Kelly (Tom) Whisinnand, Jennifer (Matt) Wassenberg, Ryan (Merritt) Keiser, Jennifer (Jeremy) Kinsey, Lindsey (Steve) Carper, Courtney Sedgwick, and Sean Lester, and great grandchildren; Elizabeth Bakker, Oliver Clark, Duncan & Jersey Whisinnand, Sam & Charlie Keiser, Andrew (Alex), Zeke, Easten, & Eli Kinsey, Gracyn, Camden & Paxton Carper, Taylor & Kiley Sedgwick, and Curtis & Sean Lester. Dolores A. Bodell, age 83, of Omaha, died 6/25/18. Preceded in death by parents Gottfried & Emma Stoecker, brothers Eugene and Milton Stoecker, sisters Olivia Huber, Shirley Durbrow, and Violet Stoecker. Survived by children; Clinton S. (Sheree) Clark and Catherine A. (Richard) Keiser, former husband Clinton L. Clark, grandchildren; Lindsay (David) Bakker, Tyler (Justine) Clark, Kelly (Tom) Whisinnand, Jennifer (Matt) Wassenberg, Ryan (Merritt) Keiser, Jennifer (Jeremy) Kinsey, Lindsey (Steve) Carper, Courtney Sedgwick, and Sean Lester, 17 great grandchildren. Funeral service 11 AM Saturday at the funeral home in Elkhorn with visitation from 9-11 AM prior to the service. Private inurnment at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Elkhorn at a later date. Memorials to the family.

Dolores Ailene Bodell

January 26, 1935 - June 25, 2018