Richard E. "Dick" Rodefer, age 85, of Shawano, passed away peacefully, on Monday, January 23, 2017, at his home. Dick was born in Ohio on July 22, 1931 to the late Earl and Gertrude (Fugett) Rodefer and was raised by his Grandma Rodefer, Grandma Fugett, and his Aunt Mary and Uncle Lee. He grew up in Middletown, Ohio. In 1951 Dick enlisted in the United States Army and served our country honorably for two years during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge he returned to Middletown before moving to Minnesota for work. He lived in Minnesota for five years then moved to Shawano in 1961. On September 24, 1977 Dick was united in marriage to Marsha Utke in Shawano. He was a longtime member of the American Legion in Ohio and the Shawano American Legion Post #117. Dick loved life and always had a positive attitude. He possessed an amazing memory for names of people he'd met and usually had a good story to accompany the name. In his free time he enjoyed being outdoors hunting and fishing and had a passion for golf.
Dick is survived by: his loving wife, Marsha; three children, Beth Ann (Kim) Thompson, Rebecca Lynn White and David Allen Rodefer; and four grandchildren, Jesse, Zachary, Seth and Austin. He is further survived by: great-grandchildren; a cousin, Nancy Alexander; his mother-in-law, Romaine Utke; three sisters-in-law, Kathy (Bob) Stoehr, Jody (Ted) Sommer, and Sharon Utke; a brother-in-law, Rick (Betty Kaliebe) Utke; and his "Fudpuckers family" from Destin, Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law, Lester Utke, two brothers-in-law, Randy and Robert Utke, and three cousins, Martha, Lois and Peggy.
A memorial service for Dick will be held at Noon on Friday, January 27, 2017 at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano with Rev. Michael Schram officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Shawano American Legion Post #117. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 10:00am until the time of the service.
