Bodo Kerkmann

Bodo ?Bo? Kerkmann, 60, returned to his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 after many years of failing health. He was born on February 6, 1944 in Ilmenau, East Germany. He was the only son of Lieselotte ?Lisa? Elias Kerkmann Neuberger and Wilhelm Heinrich Kerkmann. He was born during World War II and spent the first six years of his life in East Germany. After a daring midnight trek with his mother across the border to West Germany, they were reunited with his father in Gelsenkirchen. There he received his early schooling. After his parents divorce, Bodo and his mother joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. At the Swiss Temple, his mother met Franklin Dewey Neuberger and they subsequently emigrated to Logan, Utah in 1959. Bodo continued his schooling in Logan and graduated from Logan High School in 1961. During his High School years he became good friends with the Walborn Family. They became his second family and Bob Walborn became the father he never had. Bodo was an avid student throughout his life and subsequently earned a B.A. and B.S. degree from Utah State University and an M.A.T. degree from the University of Kansas. He served an honorable mission in the Vienna, Austria Mission from 1963-1965. During his undergraduate studies he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and went on active duty in 1971. While stationed in Germany, he met his wife Barbara Christine Kleiner. They were married in the Swiss Temple on July 22, 1972. After finishing his military service in 1976, he and his young family returned to Logan, where they lived in the same house, in the 3rd Ward, until his death. Bodo had many interests and loved to collect various things throughout his life. As an avid reader his largest collection was his books. He loved to travel and did so extensively during his military tour in Europe. He enjoyed music and always had something playing in the background, listening to many different kinds from Elvis to Mozart with Mannheim Steamroller in between often to the embarrassment of his teenage children. One of his favorite hobbies was food preparation. He experimented with many dishes, rarely with a recipe, some of which were very good and some of which were disasters. He held strong opinions and was not afraid to voice them, politically correct or not. He was a very loyal and compassionate friend and hometeacher and was especially loved by some of the older members in the Logan 3rd Ward. He was very generous when he saw a need, and loved to leave anonymous donations. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many positions in the Logan 3rd Ward over the years. Most recently he was in the High Priest Group leadership and taught a monthly lesson. Bodo is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara and their seven children: Michael Else Kerkmann, Manya Dale Stolrow, Christine Blaine Nielson, Jeanine Alan Dickson, Joshua Kerkmanncurrently serving in the Helsinki, Finland Mission, Jonathan Kerkmann currently serving in the Yekaterinburg, Russia Mission, and Melissa Kerkmann. He is also survived by three beautiful grandchildren: Christa Stolrow, Madison Kerkmann, and Dallin Nielson and two grand-dogs: Marvin and Chaplin. He was preceded in death by his much loved mother, Lieselotte ?Lisa? Neuberger, his ?Tante? Carmen Reich, and his cousin ?Little Carmen? Reich. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 East 400 North, Logan. A viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4 and prior to the services on Wednesday from 10:30-11:30 a.m., both at Nelson Funeral Home. Interment will be at the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com .