Bernadine Marie Bodine

Bernadine "Bernie" Marie Bodine of Kansas City, MO, died October 22, 2003, at home in the presence of family and friends after a lengthy neurological illness. Bernie was born May 6, 1918 in Salina, KS, to Otto and Bell Beisner. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Walt Bodine, and their five children, Marty, Tom, Damien "D.J." and Rebecca of Kansas City and Mary of Tucson and her four grandchildren, Jessica, David, Alexandra "Alex" and Zach. She is also survived by sister, Geraldine Marzec of Mustang, OK and brother, Jerald Beisner of Macon, GA. Bernie began a lifelong dedication to social work by earning her Master's Degree in Social Work at Saint Louis University and her B.A. from Mary mount College. She pioneered efforts for families of young and adult children with multiple special challenges, leading to services such as family education, respite care, and the creation of White Oaks, a group home for those with multiple disabilities (originally identified as deaf/blind). She also worked at the Deaf/Blind program at Wheatley Elementary School, the Regional Diagnostic Clinic and Children's Visual Education Center. She retired from Social Work in July of 1988. As a member of the Jackson County Board of Services for the Developmentally Disabled, Bernie was a person with one mission: to give citizens of Jackson County with developmental disabilities a chance to grow individually, and to be respected throughout the community. Prior to becoming a social worker, Bernie served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Services will be Friday, October 24, with a visitation at 9:15 a.m. and a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Meyer Boulevard and Holmes, in Kansas City. The family suggests contributions, in lieu of flowers, be sent to either the Alzheimer's Association, 3846 West 75th Street, Prairie Village, KS 66208 or Wheatley Elementary School Activities Fund, 2415 Agnes, Kansas City, MO 64127.