Carol R. Rodgers, age 77, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011 at her home in Madison.

She was born on February 22, 1933, in Dodgeville, WI, to Alton and Edna (Anderson) Brander.  She grew up on her parents’ farm outside Spring Green, WI and attended elementary school in a one room schoolhouse adjacent to the farm.  Carol graduated from Spring Green High School in 1951.  After high school she moved to Madison where she attended the Madison Business College.  While living and working in Madison she met James E. Rodgers, who was serving in the Air Force at Truax Field.  They married on August 1, 1953.

Carol worked as a bookkeeper at the American Red Cross for 25 years, retiring in 1996.  She enjoyed reading, gardening and researching her family history.  She was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church.  Carol was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother whose biggest joy was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren (“Fist bump, grandma!”).

Carol is survived by her husband, Jim; her two sons, Brian (Laurie) of Woodridge, IL and Jim (Am) of Madison, WI; two grandchildren, Jacob and Jessica; three brothers,  Donald (Beverly) of Lone Rock, WI, Clifford (Elsie) of Racine, WI and Glen (Marie) of Lone Rock, WI; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Frank, of Spring Green, WI.

A funeral service will be held at the Richardson Stafford Funeral Home in Spring Green, WI at 2:00 P.M. on Monday, Jan. 10, 2011.  A visitation will be held at the funeral home before the service from 1:00 P.M.-2:00 P.M. Rev. Craig Peach will officiate with burial in the Spring Green Cemetery immediately following the service.

Donations can be made in Carol’s memory to either the International Myeloma Foundation or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

The family is grateful to all the caring people at HospiceCare Inc., Senior Helpers and the UW Carbone Cancer Center for their help and kindness.

Carol will be remembered for her inner strength, ever present optimism, quiet determination and laughter.