Anita Rodewald

Anita Rodewald, 102, went to her home in heaven on Sunday, January 17, 2021. She was born during the Spanish Flu Pandemic and passed away during the Coronavirus Pandemic; and remained healthy during both of them.

Anita was born on Nov. 4, 1918, in the Town of Liberty, Manitowoc County, WI. She was the daughter of the late William and Elizabeth Rusch. She married Roland Rodewald on June 22, 1940. He passed away in 2002 at the age of 89.

They moved to Wausau where they purchased a cheese factory in 1941. Anita was a homemaker but helped in the factory also. After fifteen years, they started a trucking business, hauling milk in cans, which eventually led to bulk milk hauling.

Anita was a member of St. Peters Church, Town of Wausau. She was active in the Ladies Aid and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Vacation Bible School, and Choir. She volunteered at Bethesda Thrift Store for over 30 years. Her interests included crocheting, embroidery, and making quilts. She made over 30 baby quilts for the Orphan Grain Train.

She will be remembered as a “social butterfly,” she enjoyed bowling and belonged to two card clubs. She welcomed friends into her home to play cards. She visited many friends and acquaintances that were hospitalized or in nursing homes. In her 90’s, she said she had to visit “the old people.” She loved driving her car and taking friends to fish-fries well into her nineties. She is also known for all the greeting cards she mailed out to friends and family. We enjoyed her many dinners and time spent with her. She loved people and life and always had a laugh.

She is survived by her three children, Marlene (Dave) Edelburg, Karen Gehring, and Dennis (Wendy) Rodewald; 10 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Friday, January 22, 2020, at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (LCMS), Town of Wausau. Funeral service will be private, and will be streamed live at 12:00 noon on Anita's obituary page at www.brainardfuneral.com with Rev. Russell Kampfer officiating. Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Park. The service will be made available for future viewing on Brainard's website. In lieu of flowers, memorials directed to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (LCMS) 238537 Del Rio Road, Wausau, WI 54403, or Interim Hospice, 510 N 17th Ave. Suite A, Wausau, WI 54401.

The family would like to thank the workers at Mt. Terrace Assisted Living for the wonderful care they gave mom.

Mom, we were so blessed to have you for so many years. Your energy and health were unbelievable. You put people first in your life and lived God’s message of Love. You are “The Best” (as you would tell people who helped you.) Enjoy the eternity God has given you. You are in our hearts forever.

Brainard Funeral Home - Wausau Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.