Obituary for Rodell Manecke

Rodell W. Manecke, age 80, of Stratford, passed away on Sunday, October 20, 2019 at his residence in Stratford.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at Life Tributes Funeral Home in Spencer with Rev. Mark Krueger officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather on Saturday at the funeral home from 9:30 AM until time of services. Rodell will be laid to rest at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Halder privately at a later time. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren Michael Schara, Kara Schara, Emily Manecke, Nicholas Manecke, Kylee Manecke, Andrew Schara and Taylor Schara.

Rodell was born on July 24, 1939 in Stratford, the son of Otto and Alvina (Hagen) Manecke. He attended Johnson School in the Town of Cleveland and was a 1958 graduate of Stratford High School. He worked as a truck driver for a road construction company. On December 5, 1975, he was united in marriage to Irene Catherine Schara in Wausau.

His hobbies included making firewood, shooting pool, riding his 4-wheeler, enjoying weekends camping, birdwatching as well as squirrel watching, fishing and making windmills and spinners. He enjoyed watching the Brewers and Packers and also watch his grandchildren play ball. When he was able to, he loved spending time with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed spending time with his two friends, Bill and Smiley, who have since passed away. He missed his favorite dog, Teddy, who was always on his lap or sleeping with him or sitting with him outside on the bench under the trees, but he enjoyed his time as well with his new dog, Sparky.

Rodell is survived by his wife Irene of Stratford; his sons Jared Schara, Warren (Amy) Manecke and Tony Manecke, all of Stratford; his daughter-in-law Tara Schara Stack of Stratford; his grandchildren Michael Schara, Kara Schara, Emily Manecke, Nicholas Manecke, Kylee Manecke, Andrew Schara and Taylor Schara; his sisters-in-law Marjorie Manecke, Arla Mae Manecke, Delores Manecke Ploege and Mary M Beidel and his brother-in-law Charles (Inga) Schara.

He is preceded in death by his son Michael A Schara in 2017; his parents Otto and Alvina (Hagen) Manecke; his parents-in-law James and Mary (Baumann) Schara; four sisters Carla (Lenard) Leffel, Ruth (Alfred) Freese, Ione (Henry Rachu (Roger)) Mueller and Florence (Rueben) Borchardt and three brothers Henry Manecke, Orville Manecke and Ronald Manecke.

A special thank you to Ascension at Home Palliative Care and Ascension at Home Hospice Care. Thank you for the support of my family.

If desired, memorials are being accepted in Rodell’s name for a charity to be determined.

Rodell’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. Please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences.