Rev. Raymond M. Roden

Rev. Raymond M. Roden

 

The Rev. Raymond M. Roden, 86, went to his heavenly rest on Aug. 29, 2009 in Fort Dodge, IA. Born Dec. 2, 1922 in Lancaster, PA, he was the son of Charles M. and Edna (Ambrose) Roden. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Evelyn (Bear) Roden, and children Sharon (Jon) Grossardt, Winona, MN, and Mark (Bridget) Roden, Webster City, IA. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Nicholas and Anne Grossardt, Tammy (Greg) Massman, Christopher, Jacob, and Matthew Roden and four great-grandchildren: Kaylee, Kory, Kaden, and Kinley Massman, as well as a brother, Donald Roden, Lancaster, PA, and a sister, Goldie Frankenfield, Raleigh, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Betty Rapp and June Rothweiler.Following his graduation from J.P. McCaskey High School in 1941, Ray enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Card until 1945. He graduated from Millersville State Teachers College in 1950 and taught junior high school until enrolling at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, PA, where he received a Bachelor of Divinity. He was ordained in 1955 at his home church, St. Marks Lutheran Church, Lancaster. Pastor Roden served as pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Lancaster; Bergstrasse Lutheran Church, Ephrata, PA; and Trinity Lutheran Church, Webster City, IA, from which he retired in 1989.            Pastor Roden served as interim pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Fort Dodge; Badger Lutheran Church, Badger, IA; Stratford Lutheran Church, Stratford, IA; as well as supply minister at numerous area churches and Conference 8 Chaplain for the Western Iowa Synod, ELCA. He was also an active member of every community in which he lived, volunteering countless hours to many organizations.Visitation is scheduled for Mon., Aug. 31, from 4-7 p.m., with a memorial service on Tues., Sept. 1 at 10:30 a.m., both to take place at Grace Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge. Interment will follow at the convenience of the family.            In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the following: Grace Lutheran Church, Fort Dodge, IA; Trinity Lutheran Church, Webster City, IA; Trinity Hospice, Fort Dodge; Lutheran World Relief, or another charity.

Bruce-Graham Funeral Home