Stanton T. Rodberg

Stanton Rodberg, 86, of Mason City, died Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, with Pastor Kathy Graves of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM with a Moose Service at 6:30 PM on Friday, March 6, 2009 at Major Erickson Funeral Home. Interment will be at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery with Full Military Honors by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association. Memorials may be directed to the Stanton Rodberg memorial fund.
Stanton was born March 26, 1922 in Fertile, IA, the son of Edward and Alta Mae (Jones) Rodberg. He graduated from Fertile High School in 1940. Stanton proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1942 1945. He served overseas in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre of Operations for 31 months with a combat Infantry Unit. He was in charge of 30 enlisted men supervising their activities both in and out of combat. During combat, he assigned duties and positions to men and was responsible for the deployment of the platoon. He was thoroughly familiar with the use of all Infantry weapons and had participated in 3 Major Battle Campaigns and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in action. Stanton was employed by Leo Ilthom in Fertile, IA from 1939 1942. He drove 1 ton truck hauling lumber, coal, and lime. He also worked for Northwestern Cement as a heavy equipment operator for 39 years before retiring in 1984. Stanton married Leona Mix in June of 1945 and from that union came three daughters: Judy Rose, Barbara Juhl, and Rhonda Bohn. Leona passed away May 24, 1963. He married Bonnie Olsen on August 24, 1965 in Sioux Falls, SD. He was a member of the American Legion for 65 years, the Moose Lodge for 50 years, and a lifetime member of the VFW. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, bowling, golf, cribbage, horseshoes, and spending time with family.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years: Bonnie Rodberg of Mason City; his children: Connie Ubben (Kenneth) of Sheffield, IA, Judy Rose and special friend Darvin of Mason City, IA, Barbara Juhl (James Duff) of Mason City, IA, Bob Olson Jr. (Melody) of Lansing, IA, Penny Havig (Michael) of Clear Lake, IA, Rhonda Bohn (Charlie) of Ventura, IA, Cathy Vorland (Gene) of Clear Lake, IA, and Sherri Murphy and special friend Scott of Mason City, IA; 39 grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister, Lu Hodenfield of Mason City; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, one sister: Cora Kofoot; 2 brothers-in-law, Merle Kofoot and Earl Hodenfield; son-in-law, Walter Skip Rose. He was also preceded in death by his dog Moe.