Kay Bodily

Kay Phyllis Madsen Bodily was born February 9, 1939 to Dermont and Genevieve Madsen in Iona, Idaho. She was the second of 9 children. She had a busy childhood learning how to garden, ride horses, fish, cook, sew, and take care of children and a house. She had several very close girlfriends that loved to get together and have fun.

She met her future husband in elementary school but did not know it at the time. She and Paul A Bodily became great friends by high school. They married on June 13, 1962 after both attended some college, worked, and Paul served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Kay and Paul worked hard together and loved each other dearly. When children started coming in 1964, Kay focused on being a mom and running a household. She was amazing at both. Not only could she cook and sew, but she could fix things and figure out how to make something better. She and Paul were a great team to recycle, reuse, or repair just about anything. Money may not have been plentiful, but they had everything that they needed and were so happy. They settled in St. Anthony, Idaho in 1966 when Paul got a job with the Juvenile Correction Center teaching upholstery. Paul also ran a small upholstery business out of their garage, and Kay learned how she could help with that.

While raising 6 children, Kay continued to improve on her homemaking skills and was a proud winner of many blue ribbons at the county fair for her sewing, cooking, canning, and crocheting. She heard that a lace making skill called “tatting” was a dying art, so she found someone who could teach her. After learning the skill for herself, she taught it to many others. She had varying success in passing on all her skills to her kids, but they all learned how to work hard and are not afraid to try and fix something when needed.

Kay and Paul were very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served however and wherever they were asked, and many times served when not asked. After Paul retired, they served a mission in Croatia from 2001-2003. They then served in the Idaho Falls Temple until the Rexburg Temple was built and dedicated. There, they served in the Baptistry as coordinators for the next several years. Kay did the scheduling of the workers and figured out how to use the computer software that she needed. She always wanted to learn new things, including technology.

Kay loved her grandchildren and would plan family camp outs each year either at the Bodily property, the west coast, or wherever else. Kay made sure that there were fun crafts or toys for the grandchildren at every get-together. She was also an avid photographer, and the family enjoyed many slide shows of great adventures and Kay and Paul’s trips.

The last several years have been hard for Kay as dementia limited her ability to communicate and do the things that she loves. Her stubbornness to try and do all she can has never wavered, and the bright smiles she gave others never dimmed.

She passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 6, 2024.

Kay is survived by her husband and dearest friend Paul, her 6 children: Clayne (Tiffany) Bodily, Carolyn (Matt) Smith, Glenna (Todd) Parker, Ryan (Courtney) Bodily, Kami (Brad) Flexhaug, and Jedd (Kathi) Bodily. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 3 brothers – Brent, Mark, and Don – and 4 sisters – Nancy, Jena, Gail and Barbara. She is preceded in death by her parents, two grandchildren, and her older sister Karen.

A viewing will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 215 N. 2400 E. St. Anthony from 6:00 to 7.30 pm on Sunday, Aug. 11th. Funeral services will be held Monday, Aug. 12th from 11am at the same location with a viewing from 9:30 to 10:45am prior to the funeral. Burial will be in the Iona Cemetery under the direction of Bert Flamm Mortuary.