Mary Alice (Wilson) Rodman

Mary Alice (Wilson) Rodman

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Mary Alice (Wilson) Rodman, age 92, passed away at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on November 24, 2024, due to complications from a fall.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 East Water Street, Decorah, Iowa, with Reverend Catherine Stokes officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Phelps Cemetery.

Mary was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on July 9, 1932, to Virgil and Edna (Ragan) Wilson. Her family lived in Lisbon, Iowa, later moving to Toledo, Iowa. She completed her high school education in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at Mount Mercy Academy, graduating in 1950. She continued her higher education at Mt. Mercy Teacher’s College in Cedar Rapids, earning her Teacher’s Certificate in the spring of 1952. The following fall she began her career in Viola, Iowa, teaching third grade.

Mary was united in marriage with Lyle Rodman on January 2, 1955, at the Springville Presbyterian Church in Springville, Iowa, where they made their home. To this union, two children were born.

Following their marriage, Mary continued to teach school at College Community in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, eventually becoming a teacher in the Springville Community School system where she taught upper elementary grades for over 30 years. She loved her career as a teacher and took great pride in her responsibility of educating and shaping the lives of her students.

Mary continued her education at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She received a bachelor’s degree in history while continuing to teach school and take care of her family. She completed her degree by attending night and summer classes.

In her spare time, she and Lyle enjoyed taking part in Springville school and community activities and were active members of the Springville Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed traveling, camping, growing beautiful flowers in the summer, and taking care of the family dogs.

Upon retirement from teaching, Mary and Lyle moved to Decorah, Iowa. They enjoyed many years of traveling and spending time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They made many new friends in Decorah. Mary especially loved her “Aerobic Coffee Group.” She and Lyle volunteered at Luther College, the Decorah hospital, the Chamber of Commerce, and a variety of other community organizations.

In her later years, her most valued time was spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

In May of 2014, Mary moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She lived at Good Samaritan Prairie Creek Independent Living and later moved to Legends at Lake Lorraine Assisted Living.

Mary is survived and lovingly remembered by her children, Jeff (Linda) Rodman of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Jane (Keith) Petersen of Carroll, Iowa; grandchildren Ben Rodman of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Jon Rodman of Lincoln, Nebraska, Hannah (Drew) Eanes of Overland Park, Kansas, and Chris (Tera) Petersen of Carroll, Iowa; and four great-grandchildren, Evie and Ty Eanes, and Case and Cal Petersen; one brother, Bill (Kathy) Wilson of Las Vegas, Nevada; a brother-in-law, Gary Woods of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and sister-in-law, Donna Wilson.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lyle Rodman, her parents Virgil and Edna Wilson, her in-laws Alva and Monica Rodman, son-in-law Garth Petersen, sister Lois Woods, and brother Bolton Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a memorial gift to First United Methodist Church (302 West Broadway Street, Decorah, Iowa 52101), Decorah Public Library (202 Winnebago Street, Decorah, Iowa 52101), or Springville Foundation (% Springville Community Schools, 602 Mill Avenue, Springville, Iowa 52336).