Roderick G. Kolve, 69, of Eau Claire passed away April 29, 2011, at Luther Hospital after a long illness. Rod was born in Whitehall on Sept. 20, 1941, to Galvin and Thelma (Hesteken) Kolve.

Rod graduated from Memorial High School in 1959. Rod worked for the City of Eau Claire Street Department for 36 years, and retired in April of 2002. He married Pamela Kent on June 13, 1964, and was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. He loved the outdoors, fishing trips to Canada, long summer vacation trips around the country on his Honda Gold Wing, spending time with his grandchildren and growing his famous hibiscus flowers.

Rod is survived by his mother, Thelma of Eau Claire; wife, Pam of Eau Claire; two sons, Steven (special friend, Bethany) of Eau Claire and Scott of Menomonie; three grandchildren, Alyssa, Britt and Benjamin; one great-grandchild, Lacie; two brothers, Larry (Barbara) Kolve and Lynn (Peggy) Kolve, all of Eau Claire; and special, much-loved four-footed companion, Sally Jo.

He was preceded in death by his father, Galvin.

A memorial service for Roderick Kolve will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, at Stokes, Prock and Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 South Hillcrest Parkway, Altoona, with the Rev. Nate Aaseng officiating. Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Eau Claire. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral chapel.

Rod's family would like to thank Dr. Patrick Macken and the entire dialysis staff at Luther Hospital and the London Road Facility for their kindness and expert care over the past seven years of Rod's journey. You are all appreciated more than you will ever know.

To offer online condolences, please visit www.cremationsociety-wi.com.