Muskogee, OK-BODE, Gerhard F., 96, Lutheran minister, died Wednesday. Services pending, Foster-Petering Funeral Home.
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Rev. Dr. Gerhard Gustav Ferdinand Bode was born January 28, 1914 in Willow Creek, MN to Henry and Maria Friedrich Bode. He went to his eternal rest on September 15, 2010. On February 8, 1914 he was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church in Willow Creek, MN by Rev. O. Cloeter. On April 1, 1928 he was confirmed by Rev. O. Cloeter at St. John Lutheran Church in Willow Creek, MN. On December 29, 1938 Gerhard and Dorothy Ruhnke were united in marriage at Christ Lutheran Church in Wathena, Kansas by Rev. Lubeck. They were blessed with seven children. Gerhard began his ministry as a Lutheran educator and taught for 31 years before becoming a pastor. After graduating in 1934 from Concordia Teachers College in Seward, NE, he served Christ Lutheran in Norfolk, NE, Calvary Lutheran in Lincoln Park, MI, St. John Lutheran in Adrian, MI, Christ Lutheran again in Norfolk, NE, Our Redeemer in Muskegon, MI, St. John Lutheran in Austin, MN, and St. Paul Lutheran in Wichita Falls, TX. During his years as a teacher, he also served as church organist and choir director in addition to teaching Bible classes and conducting Sunday School teachers meetings, and at times working with the Walther League. After completing his studies at Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, IL, he was ordained in August 1965 and served First Lutheran and Hope Lutheran in Muskogee, OK as pastor until December 31, 1980. While he was a Lutheran educator, he served on the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church Extension Fund Board from 1953 to 1962. While he was a pastor, he also served as Secretary of Education in the Oklahoma District from 1966 to 1970 and again from 1972 to 1978. In 1978 he was elected President of the Oklahoma District and served in that capacity until 1988. Gerhard received the Alumnus of the Year award from Concordia Teachers College, Seward, NE in 1983; a Doctor of Divinity degree from the Fort Wayne seminary in 1983; Servus Ecclesuae Christi from the Fort Wayne seminary; and the Doulous Christou Award from St. John Lutheran College in Winfield, KS. Gerhard was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, his parents, and four brothers: John, Reinhold, Henry, and Eugene; and five sisters: Frieda Panning, Verona Wuertz, Adelheid Biermann, Marie Burk, and Irma Moeller. He is survived by children Gerhard H. Bode and wife Patricia of Hutchinson, MN; Kathryn Gallmeier and husband Alfred of Smithville, TX; Eugene Bode and wife Katherine of Riesel, TX; Raymond Bode of Billings, MT; Sarah Vodicka and husband Robert of Omaha, NE; David Bode and wife Sharon of Houston, TX and Karl Bode and wife Susan of Tulsa, OK; by brother Roland of Saginaw, MI and sister Eunice Kroeger of Mankato, MN. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Gerhard had many responsibilities, but his greatest joy was spending time with his family. The family has many memories of good conversations, going fishing, gardening together, going on picnics, playing games, and reviewing Sunday School lessons with younger children in preparation for Sunday's lessons. The family always ate supper together, ending with family devotions. He, along with Dorothy, established a Christian home where Christian values were taught and lived. Gerhard had an unwavering, steadfast faith in His Lord Jesus Christ. His confirmation text was John 14:23: "Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." Gerhard's firm belief in these words was exemplified in the way he lived his life. He was a faithful servant of the Lord, loving husband, and devoted father and good friend. Gerhard will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them." Revelation 14:13. The family of Pastor Bode will host a visitation from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at Foster-Petering Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 23, 2010 at First Lutheran Church. Interment will follow in Greenhill Cemetery. Funeral service arrangements are under the direction of Foster-Petering Funeral Home.
(Muskogee Phoenix)