In Loving Memory of

WILLIAM RUSSELL RODGER

BORN

November 17, 1934

Sheldon, Iowa

PASSED AWAY

January 28, 2015

Sheldon, Iowa

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL

10:30 a.m. Monday, February 2, 2015

St Patricks Catholic Church, Sheldon, IA

Celebrant: Msgr. Kenneth Seifried

Lector/Commentator: Joe Nilles

Lay Minister: Ray Portz

Visitation with the family present will be

from 2:00 4:00pm on Sunday, February 1, 2015

at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon, Iowa.

A Parish Rosary will be prayed at 4:00pm at the funeral home.

MUSIC

Opening: Come to Me

Offertory: Eye Has Not Seen

Communion: You Are Mine

Closing: Go In Peace

Organist: Toni Bart

Song Leaders: Todd Karolczak and Ken Carlson

HONORARY PALLBEARERS

Grandchildren

Jennifer Rodger

Michael Rodger Anthony Rodger

Grace Rodger Crystal Rodger

INTERMENT

2:00 pm Monday, February 2, 2015

St. Patricks Catholic Cemetery, Sheldon, IA

Military Graveside Honors by the

Sheldon American Legion

McGlothlen-Cowie Post #145

of Sheldon, IA

Memorials can be directed to Sheldon Sanford Hospice

or the Sheldon Booster Club.

After todays service, relatives and friends are invited

to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church for lunch

Arrangements under the care of the

Vander Ploeg Funeral Home

WILLIAM RUSSELL RODGER

William Russell Rodger, the son of Glen and Frieda (Block) Rodger, was born on November 17, 1934 in Sheldon, IA. Bill was raised in Sheldon and graduated from Sheldon Community High School in 1952. Bill and Rose Mary Nilles were united in marriage on June 22, 1955 in Sheldon, IA.

Bill served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959 and was stationed outside of Nuremberg, Germany. For a few years after his military service, Bill worked in construction and ran a service station with his brother, Norm. In 1962, with the passing of his father, Bill became the fourth generation to run Rodger Plumbing & Heating; a Sheldon business that began in 1905 and spanned 105 years.

Bill was an avid fisherman who found relaxation in tossing a line in various area lakes and rivers. Many special memories were made with his children and grandchildren as he passed the love of fishing and the outdoors on to them. During his retirement, Bill spent many hours at Pat Wallingas pit fishing and tending to its upkeep.

Bill followed his childrens and grandchildrens school activities, charitable work and careers. He was often seen proudly wearing the grandkids sweatshirts and hats; listening on the radio when he wasnt able to attend their sporting events.

Lucky, an abandoned dog taken in by his sons family, adopted Bill as his permanent owner and for years you didnt see one without the other. Daily trips were made to A&W for breakfast and Dairy Dandy for ice cream cones.

Bill is grateful to everyone who visited and helped him this past year especially friends, John Dykstra and Duane Wahlstrom; his cousins, Darrell & Marcia Rodger; his breakfast and coffee friends and Galen Fliear, a childhood friend who made his visits a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about school and their baseball days, and to hospice Pastor Ken Carlson who made Bills final days so special by singing hymns at his bedside.

Blessed for having shared his life are his wife of 59 years, Rose; his three children, Kathleen Redinius of Sioux Falls, SD; Dennis (Cheryl) Rodger of Storm Lake, IA and their children, Jennifer, Michael (Niqui) and Grace; and Douglas (Juanita) Rodger of Sheldon, IA and their children, Anthony and Crystal; his brother, Don Rodger of Huffman, TX and a sister, Karen (Don) Ashworth of Canyon, TX; along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

William was predeceased by his parents, a brother, Norman Rodger; a sister-in-law, Marion Rodger and son-in-law, Patrick Redinius.