Clifford "Cliff" Rhode

Clifford, “Cliff” Rhode, 75 of 15 Arvey Lane died on Wednesday December 31, 2003. Cliff was brave and strong in the face of cancer. He was born March 24, 1928 in rural Peshtigo to Henry and Alma Schroeder Rohde.

On August 8, 1953 he married Mary Judith Lawless at Presentation Parish in North Fond du Lac. Cliff attended a rural, one-room grade school, Peshtigo High School, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

His career in education included teaching assignments at Rosendale High School and Roosevelt Junior High. He then became principal at Sabish Junior High and in 190 he helped open Theisen Junior High where he served as principal until his retirement in 1989. Cliff has been referred to as “The Founding Father” of Theisen and always went the “extra yard” to maintain and improve education in Fond du Lac.

Cliff was a long-time member of St. Joseph’s- Holy Family Parish, serving as a trustee and on the parish council. He was an active member of the Noon Kiwanis and the Elks. He volunteered with Loaves and Fishes and at Galloway House.

Professional affiliations include WEA, NEA, WASPA, and NASSP. Cliff had an avid interest in sports. He coached basketball and baseball and played in the Land of Lakes Basketball League. With some Theisen faculty, he enjoyed playing volleyball at the YMCA well past the age of fifty.

Cliff had a deep love for his entire family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary of 50 years; Mary Jo Rohde of Iron River, MI; Cathy (Joel) Springman of Orlando, Fl; Mike (Jan) Rohde of Madison; Jane (Jim) Mc Cullough of Maple Grove, MN; Beth (Randy) Karsten of Green Bay; and Chris (Bill) Aerts of Saint Paul, MN. Cliff had a great love for, and enjoyed, his ten grandchildren: Tyler and Jackson Rohde, Kellie and Colleen Mc Cullough, Hayley and Riley Springman, Andrew and Erin Karsten, and Grace and Henry Aerts. Cliff is also survived by two brothers and five sisters: Larry Rohde of Coleman, Ralph Rohde of Appleton, Burnette Marquardt of Peshtigo, Letty Berg of Marinette, Lou Kirt of Marinette, Jeannette Kalm of Appleton, Betty Shaw of Waukesha.

Cliff was preceded in death by his mother, Alma Schroeder Rohde, father Henry Rohde, and infant son, John Joseph. Also preceding him were mother-in-law Isabelle Thomas Lawless, father-in-law John T. Lawless, brother-in-law John T. Lawless, and brother-in-law Rodney Berg.

Visitation: Sunday, January 4, 2004 from 4-8 P.M. at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home. Services: Monday, January 5, 2004 10:30 A.M. at the funeral home and 11:00 A.M. a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Rev. Patrick Heppe officiating at St. Joseph’s Church in Fond du Lac. Burial: St. Charles Cemetery, Town of Taycheedah

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Cliff’s name may be directed to Hospice Hope of Fond du Lac or Camp Odayin, a summer camp for children with heart disease