Jean K. Bodenstedt

Hannah Jean Kieft was born September 16, 1945 in Sioux City, Iowa to Thomas and Marion (Lamar) Kieft. She received her early education in the Sioux City schools. During these years, Jean became an accomplished figure skater and excelled in writing and language arts. She graduated high school at Saint Katherine’s Episcopal Girls School of Davenport, Iowa with the class of 1963. After attending college in Rapid City, South Dakota, Jean worked for Sioux City television station KCAU, and became active in local live theater productions. It was this passion for the stage that resulted in Jean meeting the love of her life, Donald Bodenstedt. Jean and Don were married on February 1, 1969 in Sioux City. They later moved to the Des Moines area to raise their family, and were blessed with 51 years together until Don’s passing in March 2020. 

In addition to her role as a mother and homemaker, Jean was a neighborhood advocate, serving as President of the Riverbend Neighborhood Association. She was a school volunteer, an excellent seamstress, and worked for a number of years as a secretary at the Ahlers Law Firm in Des Moines, as well as various retail and customer service positions. After their own children had grown, Jean and Don spent a decade positively impacting the lives of several foster children, as they opened their home and their hearts to provide hope and stability to young people in a time of need. In later years, Jean spent cherished hours with her friends at the Polk County Northside Senior Center - where she developed and perfected her impressive Rummikub skills! Her love of words showed itself in her poetry, heartfelt letters written to loved ones, and steadfast political arguments (which she was always more than happy to share). Jean was a strong woman...and she will be missed. 

Jean Bodenstedt entered eternal rest on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the age of 79, surrounded by her beloved family. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Don, and son Bryan. 

Jean is survived by daughter Anne (Dale) Vorce, Glenwood, Iowa, sons David (Emily) Bodenstedt, Omaha, Nebraska, and Aaron (Tanya) Bodenstedt, Windsor Heights, Iowa; ten grandchildren, Caitlin (Kellen) Glynn, Nathan (Taylor) Vorce, Colton Pestel, Curtis Pestel, Hannah Vorce, Cora Pestel, Harper Bodenstedt, Beck Bodenstedt, Kailey Bodenstedt, and Keegan Bodenstedt; one great grandchild, Maverick Vorce; brother Thomas (Sandra) Kieft, Socorro, New Mexico; close lifelong friend Sheila Balas and daughters Tali and Calaneet; niece Paulette (Greg) Anderson – like another of her own, and children Sadie, Marshall, Amber, and Trevor; and numerous other friends and family members. 

A service honoring Jean’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Des Moines with Rev. Martha Kester officiating. Interment of ashes will be at a later date at the Greenwood Cemetary in Wayne, Nebraska. Arbor Society, Omaha, Nebraska assisted the family with arrangements.