Pamela Rodewald

Pamela (“Pam”) Jean (Erickson) Rodewald, fell asleep in Jesus on November 24, 2020, at the Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, at the age of 74.

Pam was born February 27, 1946, in Seattle, WA, the first child of James and Andrea (Leslie) Erickson. The family moved to River Falls, WI, in 1954, where Pam attended school until her graduation in 1964. After high school, Pam entered nursing school and earned a degree in Licensed Practical Nursing.

Pam met LaVern Rodewald early in 1971 when introduced by her friend and Vern's sister, Sue. Pam and Vern married on September 19, 1971 in River Falls, WI, and for the next 44 years Pam blamed Sue for this event.

The couple welcomed a daughter, Danita, in September of 1973. The family moved to Wichita, KS, in 1974, and added another daughter, Alicia, in February of 1976. The family returned to Wisconsin in 1979, and then moved to North Dakota in 1984. A house was purchased in 1985 in Larimore, ND, where Vern and Pam resided until their deaths.

Pam was skilled with her hands, whether it be sewing, cake decorating, spanking her children, knitting, cross-stitching, or giving hugs. She loved to hand-make gifts for friends and family, and used her talents as a seamstress to supplement the family income while being a stay-at-home mother.

In the fall of 1990, Pam returned to school at the Northland Technical Community College, and received her degree in medical transcription in the spring of 1992. She worked at the Northwood Deaconess Hospital in Northwood, ND, for several years. She later served as a receptionist for a Larimore law firm and the City of Larimore.

Pam was active in her church, serving as deaconess, community services head, social committee head, and indentured servant for her younger daughter. She loved Jesus, and looked forward to the day when she would see Him face-to-face.

In recent years she became active at the Larimore Senior Citizens' Center, quickly ascending to the pinnacle of power as President of the board.

Pam's favorite activities involved reading, shopping, knitting, shopping, computer games, shopping, getting together with friends, and shopping. In her spare time, she also enjoyed shopping.

To be loved by Pam was to be harassed by Pam. Sarcasm and sincerity were joined at the hip, and often difficult to differentiate. She took as much as she gave, though, allowing for many humorous exchanges.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Andrea Erickson, and her husband, LaVern Rodewald. She is survived by daughters Danita Heilig of East Grand Forks, MN, and Alicia Rodewald of Grand Forks, ND; sisters Marsha Thaldorf of River Falls, WI, Deb Erickson of Bloomington, MN, Teresa Erickson of Coon Rapids, MN, and Barb (Dave) Christenson of Oak Grove, MN; “sister” (in-law) Sue Rodewald Coleman of River Falls, WI; nephews Mike Thaldorf and Ben Christenson; niece Olivia Christenson; and her “favorite daughter”, Abi (the dog). She is also mourned by her friends, including her soul sister, Nina Rockwell.

A celebration of Pam's life will be held at the Grand Forks Seventh-day Adventist Church on Sunday, December 13, at 2:00 PM – 3610 Cherry St, Grand Forks, ND.  Face masks and social distancing are recommended.