A fight for property, liberty and burial rights

Veteran Renn Bodecker, 90, continues a fight with the courts to keep what he believes is rightfully his. Not only is he fighting for his property but he is also battling to be buried next to his wife, a right that may be stripped from him.

PLAINS – Renn Bodecker, a local veteran fighting to keep his home and most importantly his wife’s burial site, refuses to give up the long fight ahead of him.

Bodecker is not only fighting for his rights but he is fighting for his burial site – a burial site situated next to where his wife is currently buried on the property.

“It’s about the fact that I built the home, I bought the land, I paid for the home and I’m supposed to be buried out there (next to my wife). That was our agreement,” said Bodecker.

His wife Lorna passed away on July 3, 2012 after a long battle with cancer. Before she passed, she helped Renn build their home despite the pain she suffered. Together they picked out the spot where they would be buried – a place she remains buried in a pine box handmade by Renn.

With medical bills stacking up high, Bodecker filed for bankruptcy, something he since has regretted. Bodecker failed to list all of his assets and because of that, the ongoing fight for his property has ensued in full force.

He did not list some farming equipment as well as gold and silver, which was buried throughout his property. To Bodecker, the gold and silver was for his retirement and he stated that he never even thought of it as an asset.

“I didn’t consider them assets for more reasons then one. It was so buried into my brain over the years that that was untouchable,” explained Renn. “It’s been a vendetta against me from the word gold.”

Renn had also signed a waiver of homestead, although he claims that it was at a time of mental duress, under threats and under incompetent counsel.

“Because of the loss of my wife I was having a mental problem. I wasn’t thinking properly,” said Renn. “I’ve been around people who had lost their wives before, and their husbands. But you’d have to know the two of us to understand how close we were. I’m still suffering from it.”

Just seven months after his wife passed, Renn signed the waiver – releasing his homestead into the court’s hands. However, according to the US Supreme Court, a homestead cannot be collaterally attacked, something Renn believes has happened.

Renn claims that although he signed the waiver to homestead, a land patent on the property still remains.

“There’s still a land patent on this property that I recorded as a deed. And technically, according to the United States Supreme Court a land patent is untouchable,” explained Renn. “A land patent is signed by the president of the United States that says this is to all assignees and heirs forever. This land patent says forever. It’s there, it’s permanent and they ignore it.”

On November 7, Renn has a court hearing for contempt of court. In an earlier edition of the Clark Fork Valley Press, Renn stated the only way he would leave his property is feet up.

Although, the charge is against him, Renn believes he is performing his civil duty, a duty all Americans have – the duty to stand up for their rights.

“My civil rights, every right a human has, has been violated to the extreme,” said Renn. At 90 years old, Renn says his mind is not as sharp as it used to be and says it has become an impossibility to remember everything – something that the court expects him to do.

“Christ was crucified and hung on the cross. They are crucifying me in the damn courts with no justice. I gave three years of my life for this country and everybody in it. What are they doing for me?,” asked Renn.

In WWII Renn helped save 2,100 lives from an internment camp. He feels he has paid his dues to the country, and yet his country is unwilling to fight for him.

The fact this his property and land may be taken from him is a worry of Renn’s but his biggest worry is being buried next to his wife for all of eternity. If the property is taken from Renn, no one knows what would happen to his wife and no one knows if Renn would be able to be buried next to her.

Family friend Roxsanna Ryan has helped Renn throughout his struggle but she is slowly running out of steam.

“I’m just at a standstill. If Renn should go before this case is settled, what am I going to do? Where am I going to bury him?,” asked Ryan.

Renn explained that if he had to exhume his wife from the property, he feels it would be unsuccessful. Lorna is buried in a homemade wood casket, something that has been tested by the elements.

“If they tried to dig up the wood casket after two and half years in the ground, I don’t know what kind of shape it would be in,” explained Renn. “I don’t want her body destroyed and tore up. It doesn’t matter where your buried, but we wanted to be buried together.”

Ryan has talked to handfuls of senators, congressman, the governor and different agencies to try to find some help. However, her efforts have been unsuccessful.

“I’m out of ideas. If anyone has any idea – I’m open to help financially and knowledgeably,” said Ryan.

One thing is apparent, these two will not stop fighting for Renn’s home and burial site. To them, the issue is more than trying to save a home, it is a fight for rights.

“When we fail to stand up for one day, they’ll be at your door and this can happen to anybody,” said Ryan. “This is not the country I loved. It’s time we stood up.”

Christy Brandon, the trustee in this case, did not return phone calls or emails.