Anna M. "Nancy" Rodefer

Anna "Nancy" M. Rodefer, 87 of Tomah passed away in her sleep on the morning of Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at Emplify Health-Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, LaCrosse, WI. She was born on June 22, 1938, in Hilo, Hawaii. Her parents, Thomas Fraser Cumming and Marjorie (Macdonald) Cumming, were both from Inverness, Scotland and have a lineage that dates back to the early Highlanders. Growing up, Anna always felt a great source of dignity and honor to be a part of this long and distinguished linage. When she was 12 yrs old, Anna's family moved to Victoria, British Columbia where she attended St. Margaret's High School and graduated in June of 1956. Following graduation, Anna attended the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California. Then on July 25th, 1960, Anna decided to join the United States Navy where she proudly served her country during the Cuban Missile Crisis. While serving, Anna met her future husband, Vernon R. Rodefer and they were united in marriage on February 23, 1962, at the protestant chapel at Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL. After her honorable discharge from the Navy in 1962, Anna and her husband lived in various locations such as Seattle, WA, Milwaukee, WI and Sheboygan, WI before deciding to permanently settle in Vernon's hometown of Tomah, WI. Anna was a devoted wife and loving mother and a member of the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tomah, WI. Also, a great source of pride for Anna was her membership with the Disabled American Vets (DAV), as well as her past membership to the Wakoda Bowmen Archery club in which she earned a great number of trophies and awards. She also had been employed by the Tomah VA as an archivist, a position that she found most rewarding. However, she could be most noted for being a voracious reader, often reading a book a day. She also enjoyed writing poetry, conversing with her friends and had a tremendous interest in wildlife. What most exemplifies Anna was her generous nature as she donated to various causes that she deeply cared for such as; The Salvation Army, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Alley Cat Allies, The Boys and Girls Club, The Humane Society, Sudan Relief Fund and many, many others. It always made her so happy that she could do her part in helping such altruistic causes.
Anna is survived by her son, Brian (Cindy) Rodefer of MN, sisters-in-law Nancy Ellen Daniels of Medford, WI, Sue Rodefer of Ontario, WI and Linda Rodefer of Warrens, WI. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon, brothers-in-law, Bernard Rodefer, Terrance Rodefer and George Daniels.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau Street, Tomah, WI. Pastor David Dahl will officiate. Burial will be in the Warren-Mills Cemetery, Warrens, WI with military honors at 1:15 PM. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Saturday at the funeral home from 10:00 AM until the time of the service, with luncheon to follow.
Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in her memory.