Frances E. Rodgers

   Frances E. Rodgers, 99, of Sioux City, IA passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2022.

   A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2022 at Holy Cross Parish – St. Michael Catholic Church (2223 Indian Hills Dr.) in Sioux City with Father Peter Nguyen, Celebrant. Burial with military honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.  Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel is assisting with arrangements.

   Frances E., the daughter of Phillip Sr. and Edna (Smith) McDermott, was born February 22, 1923 in Omaha, NE. She graduated from Cathedral High School in Omaha in 1940. Frances enlisted in the U.S. Navy on November 15, 1943 and served until September 25, 1945. While serving in the Navy she was part of the 1,000 WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) that were sent to Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls, IA for further training.

   While in the military, she met her future husband, Frank J. Rodgers and they were united in marriage on August 24, 1945 at the Naval Base in Algiers, LA. This union was blessed with six children. They lived in Chicago till 1959 then moved to Sioux City. Frances was a homemaker and also worked various jobs including: Blue Cross, Blackstone Hardware, and Sioux City Community Schools. Frank passed away January 16, 1979.

   Frances enjoyed playing cards, gambling, playing bingo, and doing puzzles.  She was a member of Holy Cross Parish, the Doll Club, and the Eagles in earlier years.

   She is survived by her children: Colleen (Bill) Hagemeyer of Dakota Dunes, SD, Patti (Jerry) Brower of Sioux City, Karen Fry of Sioux City, Debbie (Richard) Lieber of Lawton, IA, and James (Melissia) Rodgers of Cherokee, IA; a son-in-law, Joseph Cominiello of Westminster, CO; her  brother, William “Bill” (Carol) McDermott of Fremont, NE; three sisters: Pat Wilson of Cape Coral, FL, Eileen Schaefer of Omaha, and Theresa (Jim) Tunender of Omaha;  12 grandchildren:  Kerri (Eric) Nelson of Phoenix, AZ, Kris Hagemeyer of Longmont, CO, Robin (Rich) Wilmesherr of Sioux City, Stacy (Scott) Lefler  of Aubrey, TX, Jenny (Michael) Zitariuk of Kansas City, MO, Joseph (Jayme) Fry of Urbandale, IA, Julie (Jimmy) Smith of Kansas City, MO, Kayla Lieber of Sioux City, IA, Kyle (Haley) Lieber of Urbandale, IA, Heidi (Nathan) Connelly of Dakota Dunes, SD, Sarah (Kallyn) Buschkamp of North Liberty, IA and Daniel Rodgers of Cherokee, IA; 23 great grandchildren: Eliot and Henry Nelson, Devlin and Shelby Lefler,  Amanda, Brooke, and Colby Wilmesherr, Max, Maya, and Milena Zitariuk, Josey, Davie, and Georgia Fry,  Addison, Avery, and James Smith, Adrian and Jadynn Lieber, Adalynn and Eli Lieber, Cooper and Daxon Connelly, and Cullen Buschkamp; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

   She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Frank; one daughter, Kathleen Cominiello; a son-in-law, David Fry; a granddaughter, Kelli Brower; a great grandson, Isaac Connelly; and four siblings: Father Tom McDermott, Phillip McDermott Jr., James McDermott, and Mary Larson.

   Our family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Bickford. We appreciate the loving care you provided our mom, grandma, great grandma.  We are so lucky to have you in our community.

   Memorials may be directed to Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools.