Deborah A. Rodel

Deborah “Debbie” A. Rodel, 51, of Prior Lake, Minn., formerly of Newtown, died June 17 at her residence. Born February 20, 1953, in Milwaukee, Wis., she was the daughter of Raymond and Vivian (Lincoln) Schuppe.

She was married April 8, 1978, in Las Vegas, Nev., to Thomas J. Rodel.

Besides her husband Tom Rodel of Prior Lake, she is survived by her brother Richard Schuppe of Lake Tahoe, Nev.; parents-in-law Jim and Ardis Rodel of Eau Claire, Wis.; sisters-in-law Diana Ryder of Olympia, Wash., Jean (John) Fisher of Eau Claire, Wis., and Brenda Rodel of Eau Claire, Wis.; two nieces, Kathryn Fisher and Lindsay Bowers; three nephews, Andy (Angela) Fisher, Daniel Ryder, Billy Bowers, and her loving pet companion, Rhoda.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Debbie adored her family, her pets, her gardening, and her friends.  She loved the Green Bay Packers, her art, her crafts, and all creative endeavors and trends. People loved her for her joy, her jokes, her beautiful smile and loving touch, her parties and her cooking.

Ms Rodel volunteered for ten years for Ability Beyond Disability (formerly Dahtar) in Brookfield.  

A memorial service is planned Sunday, July 11, at 2 pm at Mt Olive Evangelical Lutheran Church in Shakopee, Minn.  Following the memorial service, friends are invited to a celebration of Debbie’s life at Ridges of Sand Creek in Jordan, Minn., from 3 to 6 pm.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Debbie Rodel Fund for the Enrichment of Lives, c/o Ability Beyond Disability, 135 Old State Road, Brookfield, CT  06804, or to Faith Lutheran Church, 16840 Hwy 13 S, Prior Lake MN  55372

 Special thanks to Dr Randall Marks at the Mayo Clinic for providing compassionate care and hope during Debbie’s three-year battle with lung cancer.

Funeral Arrangements are by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake, Minn.

The Newtown Bee        June 25, 2004