Joanne K Rodgers

Joanne Dolores King, born January 17, 1931 in Washington, DC, joined her husband, Tom Rodgers, in heaven on December 2, 2024. She passed peacefully at the home they built near Duck Lake in northern Wisconsin. Joanne married Tommie Jean Rodgers of Carthage, Missouri at the Crafton Methodist Church in Pittsburgh on May 28, 1955 when Tom was a lieutenant junior grade in the United States Naval Reserve stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. They spent their first year of marriage in Hawaii. When Tom preceded Jo in death on December 24, 2004 he was a retired Captain in the U.S. Navy. They lived around the United States because of military assignments and Tom's work with Westinghouse and Wisconsin Electric Power. Jo helped transition her family of five through many homes in Maryland, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Idaho and Wisconsin. Jo and Tom are survived by their children: Vicci Rodgers, David Rodgers (Donna), Lisa Kuehl (Brian), Dan Rodgers (Jodi) and Amy Salmon (Pat); 13 grandchildren: Chris Kuehl, Holly Nielson, Jacob Rodgers, Trisha Siebold, Katie Jo Rodgers, Laura Steinhorst, Cole Keutzer, Adam Kuehl, Ruby Keutzer, Samantha Lacey, Briana Davies, Andrew and Madelyn Salmon; 12 ...[more]

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at grandchildren: Landen, Kiley, Maggie, Kamber, Levi, Jaxon, Braxton, Vivian, Devynn, Raelynn, Hallie May and Della Jo; and three nephews: Mike, Craig and Tom Ryder. In addition to Tom, the love of her life, she was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Jackie and Jack Ryder, her parents, Ruby Poe King and Harry King, her beloved aunts, Verna, Myrtle, Margaret and Gertrude. Laurel, Maryland was where Jo spent much of her youth. She was the vice president of Laurel High School Class of 1948. She was an athlete and very active in clubs. Her yearbook tribute read: "An attractive varsity member is our 'Jo.' She has always been the object of much admiration among her classmates. Gifted with a golden voice, she has always taken part in our school musicals. Jo holds positions on the Tatler and Rambler staffs. We wish her much luck in her career as a nurse." Jo did not become a nurse, but she went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Education from James Madison College in Harrisonburg, VA in 1952. She was employed by United States Steel in Pittsburgh prior to her marriage. Jo later used her degree to teach children with learning problems in Math and English in the Kewaunee School District and for a developmental training center in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Jo was a cracker jack bridge player, loved to knit, cook, dance, garden, collect antiques, refinish woodwork, read the newspaper, be at the beach and drive her car anywhere. It didn't matter how far the trip, Jo was happy on the road. When it came time to settle into retirement, Jo and Tom picked Duck Lake in Northern Wisconsin, which was God's country to them. "Nana" was her preferred name. In addition to her children and grandchildren, she also was Nana to many other young people who were welcomed in the Rodgers' home. No matter what was happening in her world, Nana had a smile to share ... it was contagious and became her trademark. Family, immediate and extended, was everything to Jo. She had so much love to share and made sure people knew their lives were important to her. A Celebration of Life is planned on December 21 at the Community Congregational Church (CCC) in Kewaunee Wisconsin, a very important church in the Rodgers' family history. Lifting up Jo's life on the first day of her favorite season brings special meaning. Join the family for visitation from 12-1 p.m., followed by the service and a reception, all at CCC. Flowers can be purchased for the Celebration of Life through the following florists in the Kewaunee area: Euclids Flowers & Greenhouse 920-388-2880 M&R Floral 920-255-4083 M&R Floral May also be contacted via email at mandrfloralcreations@gmail.com Memorials in Joanne's name can be made to the Community Congregational Church in Kewaunee, Elcho Rescue Squad, Elcho United Church of Christ and Elcho Fire and Rescue.