Donald J. Bodner

Donald J. Bodner, affectionately known as Cowboy, 85, of Great Falls, passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2014.A vigil service will be held at 3: 00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. A funeral liturgy will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with burial to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Donald was born on December 2, 1929 in Great Falls. He was educated in Great Falls, but spent quite a bit of time on the family ranch by Geyser and Raynesford. He graduated from St. Marys High School in 1947 and attended college at Ohio State. He joined the Army during the Korean Conflict as a radio operator for two years. Upon receiving an Honorable Discharge from the Army he returned stateside. He worked for Boeing with the Minute Man Missile program in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. He went to work for Bechtel, travelling extensively with his job. He retired, returned to Great Falls and rode his horse on the family ranch herding cattle.He traveled with the Summit Club, enjoyed dancing, loved music, and was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He loved to hunt and enjoyed fishing.Donald is survived by his daughter LuAnn (Michael) Leverson of Richland, WA sons, Tim (Sandra) Bodner of Santa Clarita, CA, James (Juliet) Bodner of Danville, CA, and Jeff (Jennifer) Bodner of Portland, OR; brother Conrad Bodner of Raynesford; sister Joan Adams of Kalispell; ten grandchildren, Cassie, Cristin, Brett, Alexandra, Noah, Dylan, Ryan, Jack, Austin, and Tyler; and two great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents.Donalds family would like to thank the caregiving staff at Highgate Senior Living and Peace Hospice for their loving care, respect and compassion given to Donald over the last four years.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Foundation of America, 322 8th Ave, 7th fl., New York, NY 10001.