Rochelle

Joanne Agnes Rogde, 89, was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 9, 2023. She was born in Rochelle on December 7, 1933, the youngest of five children born to Paul and Lucille Lower. Joanne attended St. Patrick's Catholic Grade School and Rochelle Township High School, graduating in 1952. On January 2, 1954 she married Donald Rogde, who preceded her in death on August 25, 2017. They were blessed with 63 years of marriage and four children, Robert, Barbara, Bonnie and Brenda.

Joanne worked at Caron International from 1955 to 1963 until the arrival of their first child. As their family grew, she stayed home devoted to raising their children. In 1972, she began a long career with First National Bank of Rochelle until 1991 when she retired. After that, she spent her time working for the local schools and thoroughly enjoyed spending Saturdays in the auction trailer assisting her nephew, John Bearrows.

Joanne was a lifelong member of  St. Patrick's  Church. She happily devoted countless hours and resources teaching Sunday School, lecturing, commentating, delivering communion and selflessly doing anything else she was called to do to serve the Church and the Lord.

Together Joanne and Don loved walks, spending evenings sitting outside on their swing, attending auctions, fishing, and of course, being with their children, grandchildren and very special four-legged friends.

She loved spending her time knitting, crocheting, working crossword puzzles, and anything arts and craft related. She was an avid reader and would read anything she could, often buying boxes of books from sales not knowing what was inside and reading them all. However, what brought her the greatest pride and joy was creating her own greeting cards for special friends and family. She spent endless hours picking out just the right pictures and sentiment for each individual person.

In addition to her husband, Don, and her parents, Joanne is preceded by her brother, John, sisters: Pat Esterday and Rita Bearrows, and an unborn child.

She is survived by her four children: Robert (Amanda) of St. Charles, IL, Barbara (Eric) Bell of Rochelle, Bonnie Moore of Rochelle and Brenda (Clint) Garner of Spanish Fort, AL; eight grandchildren: Jessica (Paul) Mueller of Kings, IL, Andrew (Brittney) Rogde of Rochelle, Jacob Bell of Edwardsville, IL, Anthony Rogde Hinderliter of Rochelle, Samuel Moore of Rochelle, Justin and Joshua Rogde of St. Charles, IL and Lauren Garner of Spanish Fort, AL; brother, Paul Lower of Rochelle and five great grandchildren: Sophia, Bentley, Xavier, Stella and Gabriel.

Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M., Monday, August 14, 2023 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6 th Street, Rochelle. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, August 15 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 244 Kelley Drive, Rochelle. Joanne will be laid to rest following the funeral service at St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Joanne's memory to Focus House of Rochelle.  Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.