GENE RODEWALD

Gene Rodewald

February 28, 1939-October 30, 2022

Gene Rodewald of New Ulm, MN passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at the age of 83 years after a short battle with cancer.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Pastor Timothy Smith will officiate, and a private family committal service will take place in the St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in New Ulm.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-South Chapel in New Ulm. The visitation will continue from 10-11 a.m. on Friday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church prior to the service.

Martin “Gene” Rodewald was born February 28, 1939, in Gibbon, MN. He was the oldest child of Martin and Verona (Uetzmann) Rodewald; baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran, Gibbon. He attended and graduated from Dr. Martin Luther High School in New Ulm, class of 1956.

August 30, 1959, he married LaDonna Lieske at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Arlington Township. They enjoyed raising their four children in the Christian faith, working with them through the 4-H years, music lessons, sports activities and family fun which included square dancing, singing with his friends in the quartette, playing cards (500) and a favorite- Island Lake.

Gene enjoyed farming for ten years, but soon found his love in other fields. He appreciated the unique opportunity in 1968 to interview the local men of the 452nd Unit of the Army Reserves, based in Winthrop, MN that served in Vietnam, for KNUJ. While working for the New Ulm Journal, the Agribusiness Section, plus “Across the Line Fence” columns were among his favorites. His time designing and selling church bulletins through AUI/Anchor Wallace again found his creative side. One of his most cherished accomplishments was spearheading the beginning of Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School (MVL), in 1979 with many other Christian friends. He served on various boards and committees at MVL and St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he enjoyed his ushering duties until the end.

Gene is survived by his wife of over 63 years, LaDonna; his children, Lee, Duane (Karen), Judy (Steve) Martens, Steve (Carissa); ten grandchildren, Bob (Laura), Kevin (Kaitlyn), Michael (Esther), Jacob Martens, Lucas, Daniel (Hannah), Joseph (Hannah) Rodewald, Emma (Tucker) Griebel, Ashlyn and Norah Rodewald; nine great-grandchildren; his sisters, Ardis (Keith) Haag, Carol (Paul) Stuebs; brothers-in-law, Allan (Kathy) Just, and Morris (Julie) Lieske.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Sharon Just; and his sister-in-law, Lila Laabs Schwecke.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to MVL, St. Paul’s Lutheran School, or MLC.

Arrangements are with Minnesota Valley Funeral Home, New Ulm, MN. To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org