Thomas Edwin Rodaks
Thomas Edwin Rodaks, Makade ma’iingan Nagaajiwanaang Bizhiw, age 69, a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, died peacefully on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at his home in Berlin.
He was born December 25, 1953, in Milwaukee, WI, the son of Alexander Joseph Rodaks Sr. and Florence Victoria Gouge Rodaks. He graduated from MATC with a Mechanics degree.
Tom retired from the United States Post Office as a mail carrier in South Milwaukee before working in maintenance at the Ripon Post Office. He had been previously employed at General Motors and the ship yard in Sturgeon Bay. Tom served in the United States Army as a 13B, cannon crew member, eliminating Persian missiles after Vietnam in the 11th Calvary Regiment, Black Horse. He was a Fond du Lac Band Tribal Member, O’Connor-Chier American Legion Post #216 in Berlin, and Berlin Conservation Club. He enjoyed hunting, bicycling, playing pool and baseball, and was an avid woodworker, being most proud of his wood strip canoe.
He is survived by his three daughters, Jessica (Lauren) Street, Anna Stephens and Abby (DeWaine) McGeehen; four grandchildren, Athena, Elizabeth, Lilly and Arthur; siblings, Louise Gruentzel Rodaks, Victoria (Lawrence) Ellis, Joe (Lorna) Rodaks Jr., Barb Rodaks and Jim (Judy) Rodaks; many nieces, nephews, friends and his feline friends, Cheeseburger and French Fry. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Tim (Mitzi) Rodaks; and brother-in-law, Bob Gruentzel.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin. Military honors will be performed at 4:00 p.m., at the funeral chapel, by Wells-Krause VFW Post #2925. Memorial services will be held at 6:00 p.m. A special thank you to all the staff at Unity Point Health-Meriter Hospital in Madison. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to Thomas Rodaks, c/o Barbola Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Berlin, WI 54923.
Online condolences may be submitted and sent using the form below. You may also email condolences to the family through "barbolafc@yahoo.com". All condolences are private and sent only to the family.