Theresa "Bodge" Colacino

Theresa “Bodge” Colacino, 85, passed away November 21, 2016 at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Johnston, Iowa from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

Theresa was born September 5, 1931 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Antonio and Julia (Leonetti) Colacino, immigrants from Cutro and Crucoli, Italy. She was the youngest of five in a close-knit Italian family who placed family above all else. She attended St Anthony’s School and graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1949.

Bodge grew up on Des Moines’ Southside, where she lived her entire life. Hers was a childhood filled with neighborhood activities and large family get-togethers with cousins, aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces. Although she never married, she enjoyed all of what was happening with her own and other Italian families. You would see her weekly at Graziano’s or watching sporting events of her brothers, cousins, and nephews at Dowling High School or attending St. Anthony’s Church functions.

Bodge loved Notre Dame Football, Dowling sports of all kinds, and even cheered for Valley when her great-nephews played there. She loved card games with her long-time friends, playing bingo, and spending hours helping with whatever event St. Anthony’s Church might be hosting. She traveled to her favorite places – Notre Dame, Indiana, where she and her sister were known to tailgaters as “The Aunts from Iowa,” being one of her hot spots. She visited family in Italy, watched the Yankees play in Kansas City, and loved spending time in Florida with her cousins.

Bodge was a fixture at St. Anthony’s Church where she served as parish secretary for years and years. She retired in 2003. New priests and new parishioners alike benefited from her many years of experience there. She would do anything for anyone, without a second thought.

She will truly be missed by her loving sister Mary Severino, her companion at Bishop Drumm, her brother Sam (Betty) Colacino, and her many nieces and nephews, most especially Julie (Denny) Mitchell, Tony Colacino, Nicholette Colacino, Tom (Mari) Colacino, Peter (Cathleen) Colacino, Judy (Danny) Klopfer and Debbie (Bill) Kline. She also leaves many cousins and friends who enriched her life and will miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Pete and Nick; and her nephew, Chris (Linda) Colacino.

The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. with the Rosary recited at 7 p.m. Friday, December 2, 2016 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 3rd at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 15 Indianola Road. Theresa will be laid to rest at Glendale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be directed to St. Anthony’s Church or to the Bishop Drumm Care Center Foundation, 5837 Winwood Drive, Johnston, IA 50131-1651 in Theresa’s name.

The family also thanks the tireless caregivers at Bishop Drumm, as well as Heather Rehmer, and Lori Miller who made her many years there comfortable ones.

Condolences may be expressed at www.Hamiltonsfuneralhome.com.

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