Mary Martha Roders, 67, had a smile and a kind word for everyone

Obituary for Mary Martha Roders

March 13, 1957 — April 24, 2024

Mary Martha Roders, the love and joy of her family’s lives, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at the age of 67.

Born in Kenosha on March 13, 1957, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Mary (née Hodgins) Althaus. She began her education at St. Mary Catholic School and moved on to St. Joseph High School (class of 1975), where she was proud to be a Wrestle-ette (“Proud! Are We!”).

Even in high school, Mary was known for her vivacious personality, her weird sense of humor, and her infectious laugh. She had a smile and a kind word for everyone — qualities that would persist and distinguish her for the rest of her life.

After graduating from St. Joe’s, Mary enrolled at UW-LaCrosse, where she majored in Education. She transferred to UW-Oshkosh to double major in regular and Special Education, graduating with honors.

While home from school for the summer, Mary met Bruce Roders, the man she knew immediately to be the love of her love, at Washington Bowl pool, where they were both lifeguards. Bruce proposed six months later, and the two were married in a candlelight ceremony on Nov. 14, 1980.

Mary will be remembered by so many for her impact as an educator and mentor to students and new teachers alike. She began her teaching career at Wheatland Center School, teaching third grade, later moving to St. Mary Catholic School. After 20 years of teaching, Mary moved to Jeffery Elementary, where she taught special education until her retirement in 2010.

Mary loved trying new things. She was an avid crafter. She especially loved traveling with Bruce each year to his Barbershop Quartet Society conventions, often getting lost with her traveling companion, Ethel, and returning hours later with stories to share. Mary inherited the family gift of gab, making friends everywhere she went. Anyone who came to the table was welcomed into the fold.

Mary leaves a legacy in her family: her husband, Bruce; three children, Adam (Emily), Dr. Dana (Matt Specht), Kyle (Jenny); and her two absolutely beloved granddaughters, Ava and Aubrey.

She is further survived by her Althaus siblings, Richard (Sue), James (Patti), William, Ann (Scott) Carney, Timothy (Diane Hart); sisters-in-law, Karen (Bob) Kostrewa, Vicki (Pete) Huber, Diana (David) Sessa, Christine (Jeff Bernhardt), Maureen (Eric Haugaard); and her loving nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Robert L. and Mary H. Althaus; brother, Thomas; and her parents-in-law, Vincent U. and Shirley M. (Andersen) Roders.

Services

Funeral services commemorating Mary’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on May 4 at St. Mary Catholic Church. She will be laid to rest at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park. A visitation for Mary will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on May 3 at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home.

Memorial remembrances may be directed to the family.

Obituary and photo of Mary Martha Roders courtesy of Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home.