Emma Lou "Rod" Wiehe
Emma-Lou “Rod” Wiehe, age 91, of Menomonie, passed away on Sunday October 26, 2014 at The Neighbors of Dunn County in Menomonie.
Rod was born December 15, 1922 in the small town of Ramona, OK. She was the daughter of Brant L. and Mina M. (Schenck) Rodecker. She graduated from high school in Bartlesville, OK in 1940 and further graduating from Bartlesville College High with an A.A. Degree. Rod graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1944 with a B.S. Degree in Health and Physical Education. During her last year, Rod was awarded a “Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges” by the faculty of Oklahoma State. This was followed by two summers at Texas State College for Women, in Denton, TX doing graduate work in Health and Physical Education. Rod married Theodore E. Wiehe on July 20, 1947 in Miami, OK where they were both teaching at Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College.
In 1954 they moved to Menomonie, WI where Ted began teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. After their daughters were in high school, Rod started working in the U.W. Stout Library. She worked for seven years in the Circulation Department. During the school year of 1976-77, Ted participated in a Professor Exchange Program with the National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei. Ted helped them start a Masters Program in Industrial Education. During this time Rod re-instated the Department of Industrial Education Library.
In 1955 Rod & Ted became members of the First Congregational Church. Their involvement included Sunday School teaching, Women’s Fellowship offices, and church council offices. In 1977 Rod joined the Chapter AN of P.E.O. Rod was also active in Girl Scouting, serving as a board member. After Ted’s retirement they became “snow-birds”, spending 28 winters in Lakeland, FL. They enjoyed golf courses more than beaches so they located in the central part of Florida. Rod enjoyed golfing, reading and playing bridge. In 2005 they moved to the Oaks Independent Senior Living in Menomonie.
Rod is survived by her husband, Ted: two daughters, Ann (Tom) Gasner of De Forest; Lynn (Glen) Pepper of Lafayette, CO; one granddaughter, Elizabeth Price of Denver, CO. Rod is preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Beverly Ann Rodecker.
Memorials in Rod’s name may be made to the First Congregational United Church of Christ or the Menomonie Public Library.
Memorial services will be at 11:00 AM Wednesday October 29, 2014 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ with Rev. Rob MacDougall officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Private interment will be in the church memorial garden.