Rita was born in the mid-1930s in Waukesha, Wisconsin, to Fred and Margaret Peter. She attended St. Joseph’s Grade School in Waukesha, and she was in the first class of graduates from Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha, WI.

Shortly after high school, Rita married Wendell Roder, the owner of an excavating business. Together they raised twelve wonderful children. While devoted to raising her family, Rita also handled the bookkeeping for the family business for thirty-seven years. In addition, she served as the Religious Education Director at St. Paul’s Parish in Genesee Depot for ten years and worked part-time as an Instructional Aide for the Mukwonago School District from 1987 to 1992. Wendell Roder passed away in 1991.

In 1992, Rita married Leslie Hendrickson of Waukesha, and the couple made their home at Lake Arrowhead in Nekoosa, Wisconsin. During this time, Rita enjoyed golfing, committee work, swimming, boating, and playing cards.

In August of 2012, Rita became a resident of Tudor Oaks Retirement Community in Muskego, WI. Shortly after moving there, she became Chairperson of the Catholic Service Committee, Vice President of the Tudor Oaks Resident Council, and a member of the Greenhouse Committee. She was actively involved in planning sporting and recreational activities for residents, including bocce ball and other games, always working to enrich the community around her.

Rita is survived by her loving children: Jim (Alice) Roder, Tom (Jerie) Roder, Carol Roder, Jerry (Tina) Roder, Ken (Luz) Roder, Karen (John) Vick, Ed Roder, Jane Will (Don Tripp), Larry (Christine) Roder, Charlie Roder (Sally Miller), Renee (Jesūs) Villa, Jennifer (John) Nygaard and her sister, Sister Greta Peter of Manitowoc, WI. She is further survived by her loving grandchildren: Sonya (Carlos) Othon, Anna (Cornelius) Bransah, Adam (Carol) Roder, Tracie (Shannon) Midthun, Heidi (John) Wicks, Chris (Michelle) Knoelke, Christine (Josh) Wickland, Shawn (Jessi) Vick, Josh (Wendy) Roder, Natasha Roder, Jess Roder (Sean Larson Fiancée), Sherry (Steve) Berg, Eric (Sarah) Will, Ben (Ashley) Will, Shannon (Julius) Dentici, Sara (Josh) Geach, Sharon (Eric) Machajewski, Meghan (James) Hamlin, Patrick Roder (Ashlyn Hoff Fiancée), Liam Roder, Johnny Roder (Emmery Joseph Fiancée), Maria Villa, Jesūs  Villa Jr., Rosie Villa, Miguel Villa, Brooklyn Nygaard, Justin Nygaard, and Graeme Nygaard. Rita is also survived by 33 great grandchildren and a host of family, relatives and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Margaret Peter; her first husband, Wendell Roder, 2nd husband Leslie Hendrickson and her sister, Catherine Sparpana of Escanaba, Michigan.

Visitation for Rita will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. until the start of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., at St. Paul Catholic Church, S38W31602 Wern Way, Waukesha, WI 53189.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to St. Paul Parish or St. Martin of Tours Parish, Franklin, WI.