Bodo Otto Karl Steinke was born November 7, 1925 in Skacten, Germany to Otto and Erna (Goerke) Steinke. He was confirmed and completed 8th grade in Liebermelle, Germany. He served with the German Partisan as a youth, fighting on the Russian Front until he was wounded. After recovering from his wounds he was sent to France and fought during the D-Day invasion. Shortly after the invasion he was captured and spent four years in a P.O.W. camp in England. Upon release from the camp he came to Wilhelmshaven, Germany where he met and married Elfriede Kocziot June 15, 1950. In April of 1952 they moved to the United States through a program for displaced Germans and were sponsored by an uncle. He farmed with his uncle for a time around Twin Brooks, SD and farmed on farms near Madison, MN and Bellingham, MN until he finally bought a farm in the "bottoms" near the Minnesota River. In his later years he enjoyed working for Heineke John Deere and the cities of Madison and Appleton, MN. At a dance in Dawson he met Beatrice Ostby. They were married on December 30, 1995 at Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton and came to make his home in Appleton, MN. Bodo enjoyed dancing, spending time with friends and relatives, woodworking and gardening. He was especially proud of the work he did with the flower beds at the Madison Courthouse. He was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Bellingham. Bodo died on April 6, 2015. He attained 89 years, 4 months, and 29 days of age. Survivors include his wife, Beatrice of Appleton; sons: Peter (Pam) Steinke of Big Stone City, SD, Arthur (Chris Burbul) Steinke of Lakeville, Klaus Steinke of Columbia Heights,Bodo Steinke Jr. of Otsego, Mike (Susan St. James) Steinke of Edina; a daughter, Lori (Fred) Silvers of Eden Prairie; daughter-in-law, Kathy Steinke of Sheffield, AL; step-children: Eldon (Patty) Ostby of Montevideo, Barbara (Richard) Boelsen of Alexandria, Curtis Ostby of Appleton, Sharon Munsterman of Appleton, Joann (Jerry) Lindstrom of Brooten, Jerry Ostby of Appleton; 16 grandchildren and 16 step-grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Bodo was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Eva and Gertrude; a nephew; his wife, Elfriede; son, Thomas; and step-son, Timothy Ostby.
