Memorial
Helen E. Rodenberg, 87, of Cottage Grove Place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, following a brief stay.
A service to honor her life will be held 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 7, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Family and friends are invited to gather for a visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, prior to the service. A private family burial will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Helen is lovingly remembered by her three children, Jeffrey of Paw Paw, Michigan; Thomas (Leah) of Marion, Iowa; Pamela (Cathy) of Minneapolis, Minnesota; grandchildren, Taylor (Matt) Yager of Raleigh, NC; Parker Rodenberg of West Des Moines, Iowa; Ashley Rodenberg of Greensboro, NC; Mark Rodenberg of West Des Moines, Iowa; and her great-grandson, James Paul Yager of Raleigh, NC.
Helen was born June 25, 1937, in Earlville, Iowa, to Ray and Rose Lammers. Helen married Harold Rodenberg on May 5, 1962. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1995, her parents, and all four of her siblings.
Helen’s career began as a legal secretary before she became the operations manager at a market research firm in Cedar Rapids. Beyond her professional life, she was strong, smart, incredibly funny, fiercely independent, and accepting beyond measure. Although she faced health struggles throughout her life, she was remarkably fearless and offered her family the profound gift of knowing she was at peace, without pain, and filled with love.
Helen’s family extends deep gratitude to Dr. Ann Stroh and the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center, the compassionate nurses of Mercy Hospital ICU, and her wonderful friends and neighbors at Cottage Grove Place —a place she truly cherished. Your care and kindness brought immense comfort to Helen and her family, and words cannot fully express our appreciation.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Helen’s name to Camp Courageous or the Mercy Medical Center Foundation in Cedar Rapids.