James "Jim" John Rodel, age 99, passed away on Sunday October 6, 2024 surrounded by family, at HeatherWood Assisted Living in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his precious wife of almost 75 years, Ardis Mae Rodel, passing just 10 days prior to him on September 26th, 2024. Jim was born on August 16, 1925 in Weyerhaeuser, Wisconsin to John G. and Agnes T. Rodel. Both he and Ardis are survived by their four children, Diana Burton (Jim), Tom Rodel (Julie), Jean Fisher (John), Brenda Slager (Rick); five grandchildren, Andy Fisher (Angela), Katie Killebrew (Shawn), Lindsay Punzenberger (Jake), Daniel Ryder (Erin), Billy Bowers and ten great grandchildren. Aside from his wife Ardis, Jim was preceded in death by his parents, John G. and Agnes Rodel, brothers, Georgie and Donald, sisters, Margaret Rodel and Dorothy Mixtacki and daughter-in-law, Debbie (Schuppe) Rodel. After graduating from High School at the young age of eighteen, Jim enlisted in the Army Air Force (AAF) where he served with the "Mighty Eighth", 457th Bomb Group, 748th Squadron, during WWII. Jim proudly completed 35 missions as a Tail Gunner on a B-17 Bomber before being honorably discharged on September 28th, 1945. He met his wife Ardis in Eau Claire, WI in 1948 and they were married October 1, 1949 at Sacred Heart Church. In 1953 he utilized the GI Bill to attend a lithography program at Webb Printing School in Tennessee which led to a successful thirty-seven-year career with Ashbaugh Printing in Eau Claire, Wisconsin before retiring in 1990. In 1958, Jim and Ardis chose the upper west side of Eau Claire to build their family home with Jim serving as lead contractor. Once completed in 1959, Jim and Ardis moved in with their four children and became active members of the St. James the Greater Catholic Church, with Jim serving as an usher for 25 years. Being an avid sports fan, he rarely, if ever, missed one of his children's or grandchildren's countless sporting or special events. Additionally, he enjoyed watching the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame on football Saturdays, playing cards with his poker group, golf, lawn care, videography and forwarding jokes on his computer. After retiring Jim and Ardis enjoyed their time traveling together throughout the United States, as well as Australia and New Zealand. They escaped Wisconsin winters to Lake Havasu, Arizona, taking their children and grandchildren to Golden Clouds, Jamaica over Thanksgiving holidays and taking each grandchild on a special trip of their choice for their 10th birthdays. Until the very end, Jim was a loving and faithful husband, father and grandfather. Additionally, he was a soft-spoken, gentle man with a quick wit and unwavering faith in God. Jim proudly lived his life as an American Patriot and as an advocate for American exceptionalism. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to all the staff at HeatherWood Assisted Living, St Croix Hospice and Home Companions. Their compassionate care and love of our parents will never be forgotten. A Mass of Christian Burial for Jim and Ardis Rodel will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at St. James the Greater Catholic Church, Eau Claire, WI. A celebration of life will follow the internment with full military honors, provided by Post #53, at Lakeview Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral and Cremation Services. Online condolences for their family may be left at www.lenmarkfh.com