Jim Rodaer

Jim Rodaer was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin on February 19, 1930 to John Alphonse Rodaer and Ruth (Pagel) Rodaer, now deceased. He was also proceeded in death by a brother, Dale Rodaer.

Jim is survived by his wife of 67 years, Beverly (Vieau) Rodaer, to whom he was devoted. They met at a West High School dance in April 1946. After graduation and while Jim was on leave from the Air Force, the high school sweethearts married at Trinity Lutheran Church on July 12, 1952.

While in the Air Force, Jim and Bev lived at Lockbourne AFB in Columbus, Ohio until Jim was transferred to Langley AFB in Langley, VA where their first daughter was born in 1954. Jim was discharged from the service in October of the same year and enrolled in the University of Wisconsin – Madison. During their time in Madison, they welcomed two more daughters in 1955 and 1956. Upon graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Jim and Bev moved their family to Kokomo, IN where Jim accepted a position as an Electrical Engineer in Research and Development for General Motors. During his 33-year tenure at GM, he earned many professional certifications and 8 design patents. He also received a Master of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Purdue University. While in Kokomo, a fourth daughter was born in 1967.

Throughout the years, Jim pursued many interests including getting his private pilot license and building two sailboats from scratch as well as a canoe and a cottage on Purcupine Bay in Door County Wisconsin. Designing and building was his passion as well as his profession. He was also an avid reader of fiction novels and science magazines, always wanting to stay abreast of the latest technologies and scientific discoveries.

Upon retirement, Jim tossed aside his suits and ties and moved with Bev to the place of their dreams, Door County, to “The House that Jim Built” located on 20 wooded acres in Ellison Bay where they lived for 27 years. Jim loved to putter with his tools and watch the sunsets from the cottage dock. In September of 2019, they returned to their hometown of Green Bay, WI. Together they were a wonderful team and built a beautiful life for themselves and their family.

Jim was a hero to four daughters, Jan Christine (Bill Fox), Jo Ingrum, Jill Howell (Bob Howell) and Jane Rowland (Chris Rowland), beloved grandpa to 10 grandchildren Adam Ingrum (Hayley Ingrum), Kim Duval (Brian Duval), Matt Christine, Adelle Howell, Alex Christine, Allison Brewster (Don Brewster), Lydia Christine, Patrick Howell (Denisha Howell), Max Rowland and Natalie Rowland (Nick Rain) and loving great-grandpa to Madeleine Christine,Sawyer, Lincoln and Ellasen Ingrum; Annabelle, Brooklynn and Coraline Brewster, Allen Howell and Shiloh Rain.

Jim Rodaer was a humble man who would have insisted he didn’t need an obituary but those he left behind are humbled by him and grateful for the opportunity to share his story and what he meant to those who loved him. He was dearly cherished in life and will be sorely missed in death.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 330 S. Broadway, Green Bay.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 330 S. Broadway, Green Bay. Officiating at the Service will be Rev. Rachel Knoke.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in in Jim's memory to Trinity Lutheran Church.

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