December 11, 1940 - January 17, 2026
Edgar W. Bode, Jr. (known as Billy by his birth family), passed from this world to his heavenly home on January 17, 2026. Ed was born December 11, 1940 and raised on a dairy farm near Wood Lake, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Posen Township, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota.
Ed married Helynn Seltz in 1966 and graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in 1968. The marriage was blessed with three wonderful children – Beth, Eric and Kirk. Pastor Ed served six Lutheran parishes over the years – Good Shephard in Babbit, Minn. (1968 – 1972); Trinity in Odessa, Minn. & Grace in Correll, Minn. (dual parish from 1972 – 1978); Bethesda in Hot Springs, S.D. (1979 – 1988); St. Paul’s in Ute, Iowa (1989 – 2001); and lastly as a visitation pastor for Zion in Rapid City, S.D. (2001 – 2010).
Ed and Helynn moved to Colorado Springs in 2016. Ed spent his life serving his Lord Jesus Christ. In his free time, Ed enjoyed planning golf, riding bike, trimming trees, watching the Minnesota Vikings and going on travels with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Lydia Bode; his brother, John; and sister-in-law, Rosewitha. Left here missing him, are his wife, Helynn; daughter Beth (Bruce) Spitzer of Hot Springs; son, Eric (Karen) and children Andrew and Sadie of Woodland Park, Colo.; and son, Kirk (Erika) and children Tyler and Marijke of Colorado Springs, Colo. Also left behind are two sisters, Judy and Kris, and three brothers, Paul, Dan and Jim.
Funeral services will be held at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, Colo. at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Memorials can be sent to Orphan Grain Train or Holy Cross Lutheran Church.