Fred Rode

Fred C. Rode, 78, Fort Worth, Texas, formerly of Pleasant Prairie, WI and Winthrop Harbor, IL, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on November 6, 2014. Born in New York on July 13, 1936, Fred graduated from Huntington Station High School in New York. He was extremely patriotic, with a great love for his country. He served in the United States Navy until his honorable discharge in 1960. Fred retired after a successful 35 year career at Outboard Marine Corporation followed by nearly a decade at SeaArk Marine. He was an active member of Our Lady of Humility Church in Wadsworth, IL and then First Christian Church in Kenosha, WI. Fred served as Trustee on the Winthrop Harbor Village Board for several years. He was a voracious reader and loved to travel. He loved life in all respects and excelled in entertaining anyone at any time with a great story or a joke, while his memorable smile would light up the moment. He maintained these qualities even while bravely battling serious illness for a number of years prior to his passing. Fred is survived by his loving and caring wife Andrea (Potter) Rode, his brother Bill, his children Mark (Mary Jo) Rode, Greg (Cindy) Rode, Chris (Jorry) Rode, Michelle (Ben) Johnson, Amy (Ralph) Nyberg, Georgia (Cesar) Lopez, 16 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and innumerable extended family and friends who will dearly miss him. In lieu of flowers the family appreciates a donation to the March of Dimes Michigan Chapter, 3351 Claystone Street S. E., Suite G20, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546, as this wonderful charity was close to Fred's heart. And when you laugh, think of Fred, as that would make him smile. Services to celebrate the life of Fred Rode will be at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road in Zion, IL on Thursday, November 13, visitation starting at 4 p.m. The funeral service begins at 10 a.m. Friday, November 14, 2014. Interment will be private.