Clem Bodensteiner

Clement "Clem" H. Bodensteiner, 88, of Grinnell, IA passed away on May 22, 2025, under hospice care at Windsor Manor.
A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Grinnell. A private family burial will follow the service. Friends are invited to stay at St. Mary Catholic Church for a luncheon following the service in the fellowship hall.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, May 26, 2025, at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, IA.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made payable to the Tiger Scholarship Fund mailed in c/o Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112 or online at https://ahrensfamfdn.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1158&sorg_id=1000
Clem was born on November 20, 1936, to Clem and Florence (Lusson) Bodensteiner in St. Lucas, IA. He grew up in St. Lucas and graduated with the class of 1954. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Upper Iowa University, and his master's degree from Clark College. In 1956, Clem enlisted in the Army and spent 2 years in Germany before his honorable discharge in 1958.
On May 2, 1959, Clem was united in marriage to Leona Kuennen at St. Luke Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA. Together they raised 5 children: Thomas, Joan, Jean, Steven, and Lynn.
Clem dedicated his entire career to education. He began teaching at an elementary school in the North Fayette school district, then served as principal in Maquoketa, IA, for eight years. He went on to become superintendent of schools in Belle Plaine, IA, for three years, followed by 21 years as superintendent of the Grinnell-Newburg School District. After retiring from education, Clem worked in business development at Septagon, a construction management company based in Des Moines, Iowa.
Clem enjoyed spending time with his family, golfing, playing tennis, bridge, walking, and being outdoors. He served on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters, St. Francis Manor, and the United Way, where he was a board member for 18 years. He was a longtime member of Grinnell Rotary, the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce, and Dollars for Scholars. Clem also participated in the State Education program and School Administrators of Iowa (SAI), and he served on countless other local organization boards and committees. A devoted member of St. Mary Catholic Church, he also sang in the choir. Clem loved Grinnell and was proud to support and serve his community.
He is survived by his wife, Leona; his children, Thomas (Megg) Bodensteiner of Dallas, TX, Joan Bodensteiner, of San Francisco, CA, Jean Bodensteiner, of Alameda, CA, Steven Bodensteiner, of Ankeny, IA, and Lynn (Seth) Bodensteiner, Boulder, CO; grandchildren, Payton Bodensteiner, of State Center, Trae Bodensteiner, of Tama, IA, Drew Bodensteiner, of Los Angeles, CA, Brady Bodensteiner, of Dallas, TX, and Kuennen Bodensteiner, of Ankeny, IA; 5 great-grandchildren; his siblings, John (Carolyn) Bodensteiner of Kansas City, KS, and Ivan Bodensteiner, of Valparaiso, IN; and his sister-in-law, Roberta Bodensteiner of Cedar Falls, IA.
He is preceded by his parents, Clem and Florence; a grandson, Colin Bodensteiner; siblings, Virginia Schmelzer, Florine Kuennen, Arlene Brockman, Edward Bodensteiner, and Jim Bodensteiner.