EARLVILLE – Alice Merkt Rodman, 101, of Rodman Rd., passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012 surrounded by her loved ones at the Community Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility in Hamilton.
She was born June 15, 1911 in Madison, Nebraska, a daughter of Gottlob and Marie Wiedlemann Merkt and received her education in the Green Garden School there. Alice and her family moved to the Earlville area when she was 16 years old, and until recently has lived on the Rodman Farm with the help of her family. Alice married Charles B. Rodman in Hamilton on Nov. 14, 1929. He predeceased her on Aug. 30, 1970. If you knew Alice, affectionately known as “Gram,” you loved her. She spent her life raising her children and always working hard. Every day, except Sunday, ”The Lord’s Day,” you could find her hard at work in her garden, cleaning, canning, sewing, baking, and of course, cooking an incredibly large dinner for the entire family and hired help working on the farm. We can’t remember her ever slowing down until recently. Gram taught so many her skills that will carry on for generations. Always surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she will truly be missed.
Alice was a life-long member of the Randallsville New Life Church and the Ladies Aid. She was a member of the Madinango Rebekah Lodge #563 of Earlville for over 60 years and was a Past Noble Grand. Alice was also the Inspector of Elections for the Town of Lebanon for 44 years. One of her greatest pleasures was bowling, which she enjoyed weekly at Hi-Skor Lanes in Earlville until age 90.
Surviving are her children, Lyle (Faith) Rodman, Kenneth (Delores) Rodman, Charles (Laurie Kane) Rodman, all of Earlville; James (Brenda Shimer) Rodman of Hamilton; 13 grandchildren and their spouses, Kelly and Cory Hoover, Trevor and Pam Rodman, Terry and Mike Randall, Nicki and Mike Jasper, Troy Rodman (Michele Dintino), Lisa Rodman, Amy and Chris Scarsi, Chad and Linda Rodman, Wendy and Stanley Fisher, Kris and Jeff Manwaring, Shayne Frederick, Laura Rodman and Cassidy Rodman; and 17 great-grandchildren, Megan, Sarah and Jack Rodman, Emily Randall, Courtney and Austin Jasper, Christopher, Tessa and Zachary Scarsi, Arielle, Cole, Gavin and Luke Rodman, Calyn and Cameron Fisher, Tyler and Colin Manwaring, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a daughter, Shirley Charles in 2005; sisters, Marie Griggs and Esther Welch; and brothers, William, Arnold and Paul Merkt.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the Randallsville New Life Church. 1528 River Rd., Hamilton, followed by burial in the Earlville Cemetery.
Friends are invited to call at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the service.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Randallsville New Life Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 3 Preston St., Earlville.
To send a condolence or sign the Book of Memories online, go to www.burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com.