New Ulm Sports Central - Preserving and Sharing New Ulm Area Sports History

WILLMAR --- Services for Lester (Les) Bode, a former New Ulm baseball icon, were held here Monday, June 23, 2014. He passed away at home on Long Lake near New London.
After graduating from Nicollet high school, he played with nearby Courtland and then the New Ulm Brewers where he eventually became the team manager after an outstanding career. His participation was in the 1960's through the 70's.
In 1991 he was elected to the New Ulm amateur baseball Hall of Fame, an honor he cherished even after spending time recollecting his baseball days with his family just before he passed away.

He worked as a feed store operator in the New Ulm area and then in the grain elevator business at Regal for more than 30 years after he ended his baseball career. Even in retirement he maintained a baseball contact with New Ulm players and fans and often went to St. Cloud as others were inducted into the Minnesota baseball Hall of Fame.
Les is survived by his wife Lenora who he married in 1960 and son Jonathan and wife Kristi of Roger and daughter Jessica and husband Timothy Van Eps) of New London and three grandchildren. A daughter, infant brother, sister Meryl Nelson and sister-kn-law Tootie Bode and parents preceded him.
Interment will be at New Ulm city cemetery.