Obituary
Manlius- Lita C. Rodman, age 96, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, September 8, 2024, surrounded by family.
Friends may call on Wednesday, September 18 from 4 -6 p.m. at Eastern Hills Bible Church. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 19 at 1 p.m. at the Kenneth J. Perkins Funeral Home in Gorham. Burial will follow in Brookside Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions can be made to Eastern Hills Bible Church, 8277 Cazenovia Rd, Manlius, NY 13104.
Lita was a loving wife to Harold Rodman and devoted mother to Jon Rodman, Nelson (Carla) Rodman, and Crista (Dan) Retz. Lita had 8 grandchildren. She was a member of Eastern Hills Bible Church, Spade and Trowel Garden Club, Packard Club, Norwegian Club, Rose Society, Geneseo and Syracuse University Alumni. Lita was an elementary school librarian at Bolivar Road Elementary School in Chittenango.
If you were to visit her, you would find Lita in her garden, carefully tending to her beautiful flowers and vegetables. With her proud Danish heritage, she spent a lot of time cooking and baking Danish dishes and sweets to share with family. A family favorite was aebleskivers with her homemade jam as filling. Holidays were all day events with festive decorations and a giant home cooked meal to share with family and friends. Lita loved knitting, playing piano, reading, skiing, hiking, and was always learning something new. She spoke German, Russian, Norwegian and Danish. Lita will be remembered by family and friends as a compassionate, independent, strong and loving wife, mother and grandmother.
Lita was predeceased by her brother Ron Nelson, sister Joyce Nelson, parents Luella Christensen and Henry Nelson.
Please visit www.kenperkinsfuneralhome.com to send a message of condolence to the Rodman Family.
Services
Calling Hours
Eastern Hills Bible Church
Manlius, NY
Funeral Service
Kenneth J. Perkins Funeral Home
Gorham, NY
Condolences
Ken & Kathy Freer from Manlius, NY on Sep. 17, 2024
Thoughts & prayers for Lita's family. She was a lovely lady & neighbor. Sincerely, Ken & Kathy Freer
Bob Young from Westminster, CO on Sep. 18, 2024
From across the miles, sending my heartfelt sympathy and healing prayers . I couldn't have selected a finer aunt then the one that was assigned to me if the entire planet was available for the choosing. While growing up in the 70's, I'll always remember my summer vacations in upstate New York in which Aunt Lita would provide enough sunshine and laughter to fill the room. I remember her garden in which she would shower those in reach with bags of beautiful produce. The family meals were to die for with each one exceedingly more delicious. No one ever pushed away from the table without a smile and, of course, a few more lbs. The happy memories will live on and help lesson the sorrow during theses challenging days. Thinking of Uncle Harold and all the Rodmans.
Patrick Gillson from DeWitt, N.Y. 13214 on Sep. 20, 2024
Crista,
I am so very sorry to learn of your Mom's passing. I would very much have liked to pay my respects to Lita personally but just learned this news. Your Mom introduced me to kringles around the holidays and my family enjoyed the one she gave me. I will remember your Mom as a kind and special woman. I enjoyed seeing her weekly on my Wheels on Meals route and later as a substitute driver. God Bless her, you for taking care of her and your entire family.
Sincerely,
Pat Gillson
Tom Bassett from Manlius, NY on Sep. 23, 2024
I echo the comments of Pat Gillson, a fellow Meals on Wheels driver, as they are spot on in all respects. I always enjoyed our conversations and admired her perseverance after she unfortunately became wheelchair bound. I opted to waive the prohibition against accepting gifts from clients when it came to the incredible Holiday Kringle. Lita obviously led a full productive and varied life with significant accomplishments.