Thomas Rodeberg

Tom Rodeberg; husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away on Wednesday, December 29th of complications from Parkinson's disease. Tom died as he lived, with grace and dignity. He was known for his kindness, humor and integrity, and his empathy and respect for all he met. In his 50 year career as a City Engineer for many cities in west-central Minnesota, Tom was known for his ability to serve as a peacemaker, bringing understanding and calm to tense and often complicated situations. He also utilized these attributes in his personal life, and was a loyal friend and loving husband, father and grandfather. Tom was active in many areas of the Montevideo community, and enjoyed traveling, time with friends and family, reading, sailing and the arts - especially the Guthrie and Minnesota Orchestra.


Thomas Norman Rodeberg was born in Freeport, Illinois on May 11, 1928, the only child of Roy E. and Carita (White) Rodeberg, who moved back to Montevideo, Minnesota when Tom was 3. He was baptized at the First Congregational Church, and graduated from Montevideo High School. In High School, Tom was the president of his class grades 9 - 12, and was active in music and musicals, as well as Boy Scouts. Tom earned the rank of Eagle Scout.


Tom served in the US Army in Korea through 1946 and 1947, and then earned a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota. Tom joined his father Roy in his engineering consulting business in 1953 and served the cities of Montevideo, Granite Falls, Appleton, Clara City and other communities until his retirement at age 75 in 2003.


On June 18, 1955 he was united in marriage to Audreen Jean Anderson of Minneapolis, with whom he enjoyed 57 years of marriage. Tom was an active participant and leader at the First Congregational Church, Kiwanis, the Chamber of Commerce, the Montevideo Industrial Association, Municipal State Aid Screening Board, the Sioux and Lakota districts of the Boy Scouts, and other community groups and organizations. Tom and Audreen moved to Oak Park Heights, Minnesota in 2007.


Tom passed away on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at Boutwell's Landing in Oak Park Heights, surrounded by family and friends. He was a man of stature who knew how to love well, and was well loved in return


Tom is survived by his wife Audreen of Oak Park Heights; son Mark of Minneapolis; daughter Sarah of Minneapolis; and son John and his wife Nancy (Sannerud), and grandchildren Nathan, Justin and Shannon, of Hutchinson. He was preceded in death by his father and mother. Blessed be his memory.


A memorial service will be held at People's Congregational Church in Bayport, MN on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 2 p.m. followed by a celebration of his life at Bradshaw Funeral Chapel in Stillwater. Suggested memorials include the Struther's Parkinson's Institute or the Gospel Mission in Minneapolis.