June 17, 1941—November 26, 2020
ONTARIO - Bernard “Bernie” L. Rodefer, 79, of Ontario, died Thursday, November 26, 2020 at MCHS Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse. He was born June 17, 1941, to Vernon and Gwenyth (Rattle) Rodefer in Tomah. He was a member of the Tomah Senior High School Graduating Class of 1959. After high school, he moved up to Stoughton and started a Barn Painting business.
In October of 1966, he was drafted into the United States Army. His military service included two tours in the Vietnam War, a tour in Fairbanks, Alaska, and a tour in Germany. He retired from the Army on May 30, 1996 after 28 years of service. He was a past commander of Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201, a member of the Curtis-McNutt Post #1382, a member of the Vietnam Color Guard, a member of Bredlow-Ewin American Legion Post #467, and a member of firing squad.
Bernie retired from Fort McCoy in 2000 and was called back to work and again retired in 2002. Bernie had an entrepreneurial spirit and a few of his businesses were the North Tomah Auto and Hometown Family Car Wash where he retired in 1994. He was united in marriage to Susan Abney on March 7, 1981 at Fort McCoy. He loved the outdoors and took hunting trips to Wyoming and South Dakota, and fishing in Canada; he especially loved bow hunting. He could make just about anything out of wood, and made: furniture, cabinets, counter tops and tables. He was a faithful member of the Faith Independent Baptist Church. Bernie was had a loving and caring spirit and was always volunteering and willing to help anyone.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Susan of Ontario; Donna (Bruce) Hobbs of AZ, David (Pamela) Rodefer of CO, Debbie (Bill) Ball of AZ, Dennise Braly of CO, Greg (Mindy) Yahnke of MN, Amy Bishop of Oregon, WI, Elizabeth (Peter) Koepke of Beaver Dam, Mike Rodefer of Ontario, Jessica (Brent) Richburg of OH, Pete (Nickie) Badaluco of Tomah, Sandala (John) Yarrington of Sparta; a sister, Nancy Daniels of Medford; a brother, Terry (Linda) Rodefer of Warrens; 28 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Vernon; a nephew, Terry; and infant twin great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 4, 2020, 12 noon, at Faith Independent Baptist Church, 501 E. South St., Ontario. Pastor Michael T. Gjefle will officiate. Military honors by the Bredlow-Ewing American Legion Post #467. Burial will be at a later date.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service.
Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home
