Shirley Bodmer was born Shirley Ann Sarver in Salina, Kansas, on May 1, 1930, and passed away peacefully surrounded by
her three sons and their wives on February 7, 2023 in Boise, Idaho.
Upon graduating high school in her hometown of Natoma, Kansas, in 1948,
Shirley attended Kansas State College and graduated in 1952. During
college she belonged to the Delta Delta Delta sorority where she served
as president. She was also a member of Mortar Board, a senior women's
honorary society.
She married Bernard A Bodmer on June 8, 1952, and
moved to Kansas City, Kansas, where Bernard was attending Kansas
University Medical School. While Bernard was finishing his medical
degree, their first son, Craig, was born. When Bernard graduated medical
school in 1955 the small family moved to Sacramento, California, for
Bernard's medical internship. Son Ken was born during that year. Upon
completion of his internship Bernard served in the United States Air
Force in Sherman, Texas, where son Scott was born in 1958.
Following
his service, Bernard bought a medical practice in Gooding, Idaho.
During the next nine years, Shirley created a home for the family,
raised her three boys, and built friendships in Gooding that lasted the
rest of her life.
Bernard brought the family to Denver, Colorado,
in 1967 to pursue a residency in radiology, and upon completion in three
years, the family moved to Boise, Idaho.
Shirley's life in Boise
was filled with family, friends, and service to the community. She
served as President of the Ada County Medical Auxiliary and served on
the Idaho Medical Auxiliary Board. She was active in the Cathedral of
the Rockies serving as president of the United Methodist Women, and on
the board of trustees for two terms. She also served as president of her
PEO Chapters along the way. She was a member of PEO for 60 years until
the end of her life.
Bernard and Shirley moved to Twin Falls,
Idaho, and spent seven years as Bernard finished his career. Shirley
again formed many friendships and continued her community service on the
boards of the Library Foundation and the Arts Council.
Upon
retirement the couple moved to Palm Desert, California, and spent their
first 10 years of retirement building and enjoying many friendships,
returning to Boise in 2005. Shirley's life in Boise was filled with
bridge, reading, gardening and entertaining friends.
Shirley is
survived by her sister Mary Brown of Hays, Kansas, her three sons, Craig
(Kari), Ken (Shellee), Scott and Scott's two sons, Mitch (Hattie) and
Luke.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday,
February 13, in the Cana Chapel at the Cathedral of the Rockies in Boise
at 717 N 11th St. #4, Boise, ID 83702.
A PEO Star Scholarship has been established in Shirley's name. Memorial donations can be made to: PEO Foundation, 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312.