Alvera M. Rodman

Alvera M. Rodman, 96 (13 days shy of her 97th birthday), of 738 E. Merrill Avenue, Fond du Lac, passed away peacefully with her family and friends by her side on Sunday, September 27, 2009, at St. Agnes Hospital.She was born October 9, 1912, in Rembrandt, Iowa, a daughter of Henry A. and Bertha C. Schmidt Miller, both German immigrants. She grew up on a farm in N.W. Iowa near the village of Harris.Alvera was united in marriage in Sibley, Iowa, on August 14, 1932, to Claude E. “Rod” Rodman, a young management recruit of the J.C.Penney chain. With Rod and her expanding family, she followed Penney assignments to Albert Lea, MN, Jamestown and later Harvey, ND, and Iron Mountain, MI. In 1949 they settled in Fond du Lac where “Rod” was a community leader and served as manager of the “downtown” Penney store until he retired in 1966. She lovingly raised six children. “Her family was her life.” When her duties as a homemaker and seamstress permitted, she was an avid bridge player and an amateur golfer. She raised her children in the Church of Our Saviour Ev. Lutheran and served on the altar guild for many years. Alvera is survived by three sons and a daughter: Kirk (Nancy) Rodman of Neillsville, Scott Rodman of Fond du Lac, Jeffrey (Cynthia) Rodman of New York, NY, and Marcia (Randy) Guidinger of Saukville; two daughters-in-law: Judith Klingler of Williamsburg, IA, and Lynne Rodman of Fond du Lac: 12 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. She adored her many grand and great-grandchildren following their careers and looking forward to their visits and letters.She was preceded in death by her husband in 1984; two sons: David Rodman (1988) and Dennis Rodman (1991); her parents, siblings and their spouses and other relatives and friends.The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2009, at Church of Our Saviour Ev. Lutheran, 363 S. Main Street, Fond du Lac, with Rev. Willam Gruenstern officiating. The visitation will be at church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. The committal service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday at Brick Church Cemetery in Walworth, Wisconsin, with the Rev. Darcie Rodman, a granddaughter, officiating with grandchildren serving as casket bearers.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Church of Our Saviour Ev. Lutheran Memorial Fund.

Alvera M. Rodman

October 9, 1912 - September 27, 2009