of Belvidere, South Dakota, died on Sunday, March 8, 2009 at the Philip Nursing Home in Philip at the age of 92
Marjorie J. Kodet (nee: Barton, Lueck) was born on January 3, 1917 in Schoharie, New York. She grew up in Aberdeen, South Dakota and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1934. She attended Northern Normal College in Aberdeen and received her Bachelor's Degree in 1938 with majors in English and Business as well as two minors. After graduation, she accepted a teaching position in Belvidere, SD at Belvidere High School. Marjorie taught for five years at Belvidere High School and the last year she was also the superintendent. Marjorie took great pride in the number of students that went on to their own successful carriers. She often would meet students around the state who remembered her setting high standards and how Marjorie encouraged them to excel in their studies.
During the summer months, Marjorie attended the University of Minnesota to study for a master’s degree. She valued her studies and time at the University of Minnesota. She reflected on this experience in here classes at the Belvidere High School. Her time at the University of Minnesota was one she talked about often as an enriching and rewarding experience.
Marjorie met Eddie Kodet while teaching in Belvidere. Marjorie was united in marriage to Edward (Eddie) Kodet Sr. in Belvidere on June 2, 1942 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church and they lived in town across from the school. In the fall of 1942, Eddie was drafted and sent to basic training and Marjorie finished her career as a teacher in the spring of 1943 to be with her husband in Savannah, Georgia. Among Eddie’s flight crew they felt they had an extra member because where ever the flight crew was stationed there was Marjorie. She found jobs at the various locations. The real first time Marjorie and Eddie were separated was when Eddie was sent overseas.
During the time when Eddie went overseas Marjorie went to Minneapolis to live with her mother and sister where she worked at Honeywell in the payroll department. On April 15th, Eddie’s plane went down and Marjorie was sent a telegram at work notifying her that he was missing in action. Following several weeks of worry, the War Department sent a letter telling her that Eddie was a prisoner of war in Romania. After five months in a prison camp Eddie returned to the United States and was given a furlough to visit his family in Minneapolis.
After discharge from the service, Marjorie and Eddie moved back to Belvidere. They lived in town until August 1946 when they moved to the family farm and Eddie's parents moved to the house in Belvidere. Marjorie mastered all the tasks it takes to run a cattle and ranch operation. One of her hobbies was maintaining a large garden.
She continued to teach at Belvidere High School as a substitute and she also played on the town volleyball and basketball team. She also enjoyed playing cards at the Bohemian hall and in later years, still a master of the game Wist, she played cards as often as she could. Marjorie spent many nights cooking and making sandwiches for the musicians for their road trips. Her musical talent was with the piano which she enjoyed whenever time would permit.
For 62 years, Marjorie managed and kept the books for the Kodet farm. She had a real interest for detail. Marjorie's passion was reading and writing and she could quote Shakespeare by heart. For her there was never enough time to read. Often she would check out books of which she had many favorites. She enjoyed traveling but what she enjoyed most were the annual trips to Minneapolis to see here Mother and Sister .
She was a president and member of the American Legion Auxiliary. As a former English teacher, she was frequently asked to judge local essay competitions and speech contests sponsored by local organizations. She also was a member of Canyon Lake Senior Citizens Center, Association of Former Prisoners of War, life member of American Ex-Prisoners of War and member of Sacred Heart Church Catholic Church, Belvidere SD and Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Kadoka, SD. Marjorie was also a member of the Kadoka Cookers Extension Club and served as a reporter for the newspaper.
Marjorie was a caring and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. We will miss her thoughtfulness and eagerness to laugh.
Grateful for having shared her life include her husband of 67 years, Edward Kodet Sr.; two children, Edward Kodet Jr. (Janice) of Minneapolis, MN, and Janet Leitheiser(Melvin) of Stillwater, MN; two sisters, Martha Johnson of Elk River, MN and Estella Mae Kleeman of Las Vegas NV; four grandchildren; and numerous nieces, and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
“When he shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun." William Shakespeare
Visitation was held 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 13, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka, with Father Bryan Sorensen as celebrant, and Father Ron Garry as con-celebrant.
Interment will be at the Belvidere Cemetery.
A memorial is established.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Friday, March 13, 2009 – 10:00 a.m.
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Kadoka, South Dakota
CELEBRANT
Father Bryan Sorensen
CON-CELEBRANT
Father Ron Garry
LECTORS
Mark Leitheiser - Daniel Kodet
ACCOLYTE
Lori Gmeinder
EULOGY
Christopher Leitheiser
MUSIC
JoAnne Stilwell—Pianist
Pat Porch—Vocalist
“Beyond The Sunset”
“Gentle Woman”
“Just As I Am”
Congregational Hymn
“Prayer of St. Francis”
USHERS
Leonard Sanftner - Jim Willert - Joe Handrahan
PALLBEARERS
Bob Bork - Bernard Herber
Gary Letellier - Larry Dolezal
Ross Block - Brandon Mitchell
INTERMENT
Belvidere Cemetery
Belvidere, South Dakota
Visitation: 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka,
Vigil Service: 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at the church.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 13, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka.
Interment: Belvidere Cemetery