Gladys Elizabeth Bodnar

Gladys Elizabeth Bodnar, 97, of Bettendorf, IA, passed away on Saturday December 14, 2024. 

Born in Paterson, NJ on October 23, 1927, she’s been a resident of Bettendorf for the past 14 years. Prior to that, she lived in Saddle Brook, NJ for 55 years. Mrs. Bodnar was a graduate of Clifton High School, received a BA in Home Economics from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) in 1949 and a Master’s in Home Economics Education from Montclair State College in 1972. Primarily, Mrs. Bodnar worked as a 4-H Agent in Bergen County, NJ and Oswego County, NY. She also worked as a seamstress at Henri Bendel in NYC; Pollster for Booz Allen Hamilton, Philadelphia, PA; volunteer in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program; home health trainer; food presenter; typist; clerk; and cashier.

Professionally, she advanced to the positions of President of Woman’s Club of Saddle Brook and President of the Bergen – Passaic Counties Home Economics Association. She also taught neighborhood girls in foods, cooking, and sewing. She won a Blue Ribbon for her honey wheat bread at both the county and state levels in NJ, and she received the Home Economist of the Year Award in 1980. Further, she served as a 4-H Leader and a Deacon of the Warren Point Presbyterian Church. At the Fountains Senior Living facility in Bettendorf, she was a member of the Book Club and the Chaplain’s Corner. She was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church in Bettendorf.

Her parents were Theodore (Ted) Turner and Amalia (Molly) Maria Elizabeth Rocheskey, both deceased, as are her two siblings, Theodore (Ted or Junior) and James (Jim or Bud). She married Kalman (Kal) F. Bodnar, who passed away in 2008, in 1952. They had two children, Richard (Rick) and Roy. Rick and his wife, Carolyn, reside in Bettendorf, IA, and Roy and his wife, MaryJo, reside in Deptford, NJ. Gladys is also survived by five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Gladys had a long and full life. She had a happy and successful marriage of 56 years, and she raised two wonderful sons and put them through college debt free. She had lots of friends, served as the family historian, and organized annual “cousins” reunions. Gladys was a healthful cook, excellent seamstress and money manager, and professional shopper. She was a health caregiver to Julia Mascellino (mother-in-law) for 26 years and Aunt Effa Turner for 12 years. She loved to travel the world and attend concerts/theater with husband Kal.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to McDaniel College in her name.