Francis "Bud" Bodeson

1927 - 2011

Francis Earl Bodeson
Aug 14, 1927 - Oct 8, 2011
Francis Earl "Bud" Bodeson passed away peacefully Saturday, October 8th at the age of 84, surrounded by his loving family. He was a third generation native of Ripon, California, his family settling here in the 1850's. In his youth, Francis was active in Boy Scouts, excelled in music and received national honors in high school debate and leadership. After graduation, Francis enlisted in the Navy as a Pharmacist 3rd Class where he trained and served as a Medical Corpsman in Corona, California during World War II.
After the war, Francis returned to Ripon and attended Modesto Junior College. During this time he met and married Gertrude Schweitzer Bodeson, the love of his life. Together, they produced six children. Every summer Francis took his family camping in the Sierras and along the beaches of California, instilling in his children a love of nature they share to this day.
In 1954, at the age of 26, Francis was appointed Postmaster of Ripon where he worked until retiring at age 55. Francis was very active in his home town civic affairs, serving as president of the Ripon Jaycees; president and director of the Ripon Chamber of Commerce; secretary of the Ripon Lion's Club; president of the Ripon Fireman's Association and volunteer fireman; past Noble Grand and thirty year member of the local IOOF Lodge; an American Legion, and a member of the Congregational Church. This year he was chosen to serve as Grand Marshall of the upcoming 50th Annual Ripon Almond Blossom Festival this February, an event he helped pioneer and support.
Upon retirement Francis was excited to continue his favorite hobbies of jogging, golfing, camping and traveling. He and Trudy traveled the globe, visiting all 50 U.S. states and 37 foreign countries. A few months before his death, you could find Francis walking the streets of Ripon greeting friends and strangers he met along the way.
Francis' wife preceded him in death last December. He is survived by his six children: Janyce Bodeson, Mary Bodeson, Francis James Bodeson, Deborah Glass, Patricia Hansen and Robert Bodeson; 12 grandchildren and 5 great grand children.
A memorial service will be held at Deegan Funeral Chapel in Ripon on Friday, October 21st at 1:00pm. After the service, the Bodeson children will receive guests at the family home at 416 S. Elm Ave., Ripon. There is an online guest book available for you to share your condolences at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com
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