Shirley C. Roder, 73, of Remsen, died Sunday, March 5, 2017, at Happy Siesta Health Care Center in Remsen.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Remsen, with the Rev. Terry Roder officiating, Rev. William McCarthy concelebrating and Deacon Rick Roder assisting. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Remsen, Iowa. Visitation with family present will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, with a parish rosary at 5 p.m. and a vigil prayer service at 7 p.m. all at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen, IA. Visitation will resume at 9:30 until service time Wednesday at the funeral home.
Shirley Roder was born April 14, 1943, at LeMars, IA, the daughter of Joseph H.and Rosemary (Ruba) Roder. The oldest of four children she was raised and educated in Remsen. Graduating from St. Mary’s High School in 1961. She then attended Briar Cliff College graduating in 1965. She taught a semester at St. Benedict Catholic School in St. Benedict, IA. Then taught in Omaha public schools for 35 years. She first taught at Kellom Elementary, then 28 years at Florence Elementary where she became a lead teacher. She received the Alice Buffet Outstanding Teacher Award in 1993.
In her time in Omaha she was an active member of St. Phillip Neri Parish in Florence where she taught parish religious education classes. She was known as the “Fox Lady” or according to close family and friends “THE FOXY LADY”! The fox was the Florence School Mascot and she received and collected numerous versions and some unusual pieces of fox art. She was a loving God Mother to several fortunate children.
In 1998 She retired to her home town of Remsen where she indulged in her many interests, card club (bridge, pinochle and 500), traveling to parts of Europe, Hawaii, the Black Hills and the Midwest. She took great pleasure in making sumptuous meals for family and friends, gardening, canning and baking. With the patient tutoring of her longtime friend and college roommate Dr. Barbara Brock, she was mastering the art of surfing the internet, use of tablets to read books and play games.
She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and church guild.
Survivors include: her siblings, Marvin (Paula) Roder of Sioux City, IA, Wayne (Jill) Roder of Riverside, IA and Rev. Terry A. Roder of Alton, IA. Shirley also leaves behind numerous family, friends, neighbors and former students who have been the recipients of her love and care.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Casket bearers will be, Todd Olson, Steve Roder, Andy Roder, Jeff Roder, Dave Brock, Eric Brock, Robert Seuntjens, William Seuntjens.
Honorary bearers will be, Nathan, Monica and Joseph Olson.