Leland "Lee" Rodda
December 23, 2012
Leland “Lee” Rodda, 83, passed away Sunday, December 23, 2012, at Iowa Lutheran Hospital.
Lee was born July 10, 1929, in Sandyville, Iowa. He attended Pleasantville schools until the family moved to Des Moines. He attended his senior year and graduated from East High School. He married Helen Williams on September 10, 1949. Together they had four children. Lee worked many different jobs during his life. He was often involved in management in production manufacturing. Also, he held the position of theater usher, back when they carried flashlights to lead moviegoers to the best seat. He ran a milk delivery route, and after retirement attended the grounds at the Des Moines Country Club. He held a position in production scheduling at Solar Aircraft until they moved their operations to San Diego.
After deciding to stay in Iowa, Lee and Helen purchased a home and moved the family to the then small suburb of Altoona. Lee was involved in scouting as Troop Scout leader for the Cub Scouts. He also was the Little League team manager for a number of years. His children all attended and graduated from Southeast Polk. This included his nephew, the late Rick Rodda, who came to live with the family as a young teenager. Lee and Helen settled in Berwick for their retirement years. From there they traveled the country to see relatives in many states such as Washington, Colorado, Tennessee, Missouri, the Dakotas, and many more. They enjoyed seeing the wonders of our great country.
Lee enjoyed his yard work and keeping a fatherly eye on his far flung family. He was an avid sports fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, in later years the Cyclones too. He was a St. Louis Cardinal fan and a Minnesota Vikings fan. This led to some lively afternoons as Helen rooted for the Cubs and the Bears.
Lee is survived by his children, Steve Rodda, Ken (Joyce) Rodda, Jeff (Patricia) Rodda, and Wendy Newby; brother, Lyle Rodda; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife Helen of 61 years.
Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m., Saturday, 29, 2012, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Animal Rescue League.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Patricia Rodda
12/29/2012
Rest in peace grandpa Lee. You will be missed.
Carol Cardwell
12/29/2012
I have so many memories of the good times that Al and I spent with Lee and Helen. He was a 'gentle giant' with a heart of gold and always a smile and hearty laugh that filled the room. When the guys worked the 3-11 shift, it was always pizza after work on Fri. night.
Helen and his family were always his top priority and he even gave me a person by person account of each one when I talked to him a couple weeks ago. My sympathies to each of you, as I know how much you will miss him. I know I will. He is with Helen and that is our solace.
Marilyn Finch
12/28/2012
I have fond memories of times when Leland and Tom Leasure, another cousin of mine, would come to the farm where my folks and I lived in the summer. One time in particular I would have been about 7 years old. We lived on a farm North of Oskaloosa. Leland and Tom decided to build a raft so they did. That Spring the river was very high and the two of them, with no fear whatsoever completed their raft and drug it down to the river and put it in and they jumped in and of course the raft split apart and this scared my Dad to pieces. He did not like the water and was fearful for them. Neither of them were frightened at all and came climbing out of the river and my Dad said to them, "you used all of my nails, but you needed more didn't you?" Needless to say they didn't try that again, but there was always something else they would give a try. I think they always enjoyed coming to the farm.
Carolyn Lenhart-Thomas
12/28/2012
When you grow up your father is usually the main male figure in your life. As you all know mine was not. I look back on my life and realize that the main men in my life have been my Uncle's and my Grandfather. Uncle Lee was one of those Uncle's. To me he represented the father figure that I needed when I was little. I always loved going to Altoona and staying at that house. I was always in awe of Uncle Lee as he was always dressed up, never a hair out of place, always laughing. I will always remember Aunt Helen and Uncle Lee as the family who loved us unconditionally after my mom and dad were divorced. My thoughts and prayers to my cousins. Aunt Helen and Uncle Lee are together again as they were meant to be!
Susie Leasure
12/27/2012
Helen and LeLand's was my favorite place to go when I was younger, It was a road trip for us. I will always remember the fun we had... When someone becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure...
Andrew Rodda
12/26/2012
He was a great man, father, husband, and my wonderful grandfather. I will miss him so much. He may not have always agreed with you, especially me...since I disagreed with him on the political arena on opposite parties of our country he loved and I loved the Chicago Cubs and Bears. He always made sure I knew he loved me. I will remember him for being so proud of his family and that he was always there for them