Augusta Denton Roddis

Roddis, Augusta Denton Age 94, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2011 in the home where she was born. Miss Roddis is the last descendant living in Marshfield of the family that founded the Roddis Veneer Company in 1897. She fervently believed in the power of education to improve people's lives and worked tirelessly throughout her lifetime to help others achieve their academic potential and to preserve history. Miss Roddis was the fourth of six children of Hamilton Roddis and Catherine Prindle Roddis. She was Valedictorian of the Class of 1933 at Marshfield High School and after her graduation from Northwestern University, Miss Roddis worked in New York for a time but then came home to Marshfield, serving as her fathers personal secretary and Assistant Secretary to the Roddis Plywood Corporation from 1948-1960. She was an elected member of the Marshfield School District Board for 18 years, served on the Marshfield Public Library Board for 13 years, and was a member of the Marshfield Public Library Foundation for seven years. She was instrumental in helping to establish the Hamilton Roddis Library at the University of Wisconsin - Marshfield. She was also a Lifetime member of the Board of Directors of the North Wood County Historical Society and was instrumental in the purchase of the Upham Mansion and the Marshfield History Project. She was very active in the Daughters of the American Revolution beginning in 1949, following a family legacy led by her mother, Catherine. She and her sisters, Sara Roddis Jones and Mary Roddis Connor held chapter, state and national DAR positions and were committed to the DAR's dedication to patriotic, educational and historic preservation goals. In 2008, she was honored with a Lifetime Achievement award. Offices held by Miss Augusts Roddis included: State Chairman, American History Month Committee 1977-80; Head of the WI portion of the DAR nationally sponsored yearly history essay contest for students in 5th - 8th grades; Member, National Defense 1983-86; Chair, State Resolutions Committee 1989-1997; Vice Chair, National DAR Resolutions Committee 1976-1997; Chapter Regent 2000. She was a leader in local civic organizations and a lifetime member of the Marshfield Women's Club. She was a faithful sister of PEO Chapter AJ in Marshfield, a philanthropic educational organization supporting the education of women, for almost 60 years. She mentored a number of young women over the years, encouraging them to further their education and be involved in their communities. She was also an officer of the Hamilton Roddis Foundation, which was founded by her father in 1952 to continue the religious, educational and charitable deeds of Hamilton Roddis and his family. In addition Miss Roddis sought to improve her world by supporting candidates and causes she believed in. Miss Roddis was an active communicant at St Albans Episcopal Church where she taught Sunday school, served on the Women's Guild, was a former President of the Diocesan Altar Guild of the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac and served for years on the Vestry and church governing board. She was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Living Church. Until recently she attended the 7:30 AM service every Sunday. She is survived by 19 nieces and nephews, who benefited greatly from her affection and interest in them throughout their lives. Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, February 5, 2011, at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Marshfield. A time of visitation will be held on Friday, February 4, from 5:00-8:00PM at Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home in Marshfield and from 10:00AM until service time at the church on Saturday. Committal services will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Marshfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marshfield Historic Preservation Association, P. O. Box 423, Marshfield WI 54449 The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Deacon Georgeanne Cusic of St. Alban's Episcopal Church, the staff of Marshfield Senior Services, and Ministry Home Care Hospice for their wonderful care of Augusta. The caregivers from Marshfield Senior Services gave her loving attention for over five years and Ministry Home Care Hospice provided additional dedicated support for her last 6 months. Online condolences may be made at www.hansenschilling funeralhome.com