Terry & Mary Kay Bodeen inducted into Braham Hall of Fame

Terry and Mary Kay Bodeen were inducted into the Braham Area High School Hall of Fame as part of the Braham Education Foundation Gala held Saturday, April 13 at the Braham Event Center.

The Bodeens both were honored for long teacher careers, which began at Braham in 1971, as well as their activities in the community as well as their support for their community, church and school.

Terry Bodeen taught biology, taxidermy, physical education and driver’s education and was selected as the Walmart Teacher of the Year as well as becoming a Teacher of Excellence Finalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

He was a head football and wrestling coach for Braham and also served as an assistant coach for football and baseball as well as serving as weight room supervisor.

Currently Terry volunteers at New Pathways and for Pie Day, at the Event Center, Appreciation Day, and for the all-school reunion and Centennial. He provides meals throughout the year and helped with the Braham wood playground.

Terry was a Braham Jaycee member and officer, took part in teacher negotiations, started Earth Day cleanup, and initiated AAU wrestling locally.

He was the Minnesota State Assistant Football Coach of the Year in 1995, Conference Football Coach of the Year in 2000-01, Great River Conference Football Coach of the Year 2000-05. The Braham Class of 1981 dedicated the 1981 year to his honor.

Terry also created the Environmental Learning & Work Center and was a leader on the Mentorship Program Council.

Mary Kay Bodeen was a long-time elementary school teacher at Braham who also served as a substitute teacher after retirement. She was the director of Braham’s Head Start program, initiated the Minnesota Book Pal program, and was a guest reader at the elementary school.

She was the school’s golf, speech and cheerleading coach and also served as a speech judge and worked concessions at numerous events.

Mary Kay was a Leadership in Excellence Award recipient, led the Mentorship Program Council and was a member of the CAPP promoting Pie Day projects.

In the community, she serves as the secretary for the Alice Studt Library committee, is a member and officer of the Mrs. Jaycees, is a judge for East Central Energy Youth Tour and serves as a teach at Old Time School through the Isanti Historical Society.

Mary Kay currently volunteers at New Pathways and for Pie Day, at the Event Center, Appreciation Day, the Senior Dining Center and for the all-school reunion and Centennial. She provides meals throughout the year and helped with the Braham wood playground; she also is involved with Santa Day, the BAEF Gala, the Food Shelf, Bloodmobile, and the Empty Bowl Project.

Both also were involved in church, serving as founding members of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Mary Kay was a Parish Trustee and a member of the St. Cloud Diocese while delivering communion to shut-ins and serving as a lector and teacher of CCD.

Both volunteer for the church’s Fall Festival, while Terry serves as an usher and works at the annual church Fish Fry.

Mary Kay also serves on the IACC Pastoral Council.