PRINCETON — Patricia Anne (Roth) Rod, 77, of Princeton passed away Sunday, April 21, 2013, in her home. Her family was by her side as she went to be with the Lord.
Patricia was born June 8, 1935, in Mendota to Harold and Faye (Moody) Roth. She graduated from Mendota High School in 1953 and married Ralph Rod on March 31, 1953, in the Zion Lutheran Church in LaMoille.
Patricia will be forever remembered by her loving husband, Ralph; her six children who adored her, Donna Braida of Princeton, Duane (Linda) Rod of Princeton, Darwin (Alice) Rod of Katy, Texas, Dale (Donna) Rod of Marco Island, Fla., Dawn (Craig) Sluis of Princeton and Diane (John) Young of Spring Valley; her grandchildren, Amanda Pearson, Dustin Wolford, Jodi Fundell, Eric Rod, Dana Maynard, Chad and Todd Junis, Ryan, Sean, Sarah and Sabrina Rod, Doug and Mary Colpaert, Joseph (deceased), Dan, Kim, Tori and Jordan Sluis, Ashley Nevins and Austyn Maloy; and her great-grandchildren, Magnus, Caden, Novalyne, Lisa, Tristin, Laynie, Josiah, Emily, Eli, Blake, Makenzie, Gage, Sophia, Kelsey, Corbin, Mia, Braelyn, Addyson and Amy.
Pat touched the lives of many people with her infectious smile, laugh and unconditional love for her family and countless friends. She was known for her outstanding reputation within the community as a dedicated volunteer. For 60 years she was a member of the HCE (Home & Community Education Association) where she was president for the Bureau County HCE for the last 15 years. She represented the HCE at the Homestead Festival by doing the window displays for many years, winning numerous awards. She helped run the 4-H food stand during the 4-H and Bureau County fairs. 4-H was a big part of her life where she was a member for five years then becoming a 4-H leader for the Merry Maidens and an extension volunteer for 40-plus years in Bureau County. She served as 4-H Fair superintendent of the Fashion Board, Unit Council member and much more. She was also a member of the ACWW (Associated Country Women of the World) which enabled her to travel many parts of the world. She was a member of the Perry Memorial Hospital Auxiliary since 1963 where she served as president for two terms and helped establish fundraisers such as PMH Antique Show, Candy Cane and many other fundraising activities. She was the maker of many, many Christmas stockings that each December newborn went home in.
While raising six children, Pat also volunteered as a Cub Scout Den Mother for Pack 152. She was on the Lincoln School PTA where she and her family ran the Spook House at the school's Fun Fair. She was a past Circle member at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church where she also was in charge of the crafts for many years during their Vacation Bible School. She was a member of Princeton Newcomers since the 1960s. Pat loved playing Bridge with the couples and ladies groups. She held the annual Bridge Christmas parties for many years up through 2012. She was a host family for a German foreign exchange student in 1984-1985. Pat and Ralph were grand marshals for the 1995 Homestead Festival parade. She was an exhibitor for years in the Bureau County Fair's flower division and winning many "Best of Show" awards. Pat was known for her multiple Christmas decorations and large Christmas trees that are displayed with many homemade ornaments along with numerous collections.
Some other awards she received were: the Robert L. Sorensen Summit Award honoree in 1995, the HC McCutchan Agricultural Service Award, first recipient of the Citizens First National Bank Volunteer of the Year Award in 2002, the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service Award in 2000, and most importantly she was an inductee for the "Class of 2008" Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame, which was presented to her at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Faye Roth; two brothers, Tom and Don Roth; a son-in-law, Jay Braida; and a grandchild, Joseph.
Pat had a generous heart that filled her home with family, friends, love, fun and homemade FOOD. She instilled in her family to live life to the fullest. This beautiful woman, in and out, will be missed by everyone who knew her. Her gift of selflessness will always be remembered.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Princeton. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, Princeton, with a luncheon to follow at the Princeton Moose Lodge.
Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Norberg Memorial Home in Princeton.
Memorials may be directed to Perry Memorial Hospital Foundation, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, and Bureau County 4-H and Extension.
Online condolences may be left at www.norbergfh.com.
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