Dolores Maria Rode

TRAVERSE CITY - Dolores Maria Rode (nee Goodyke) left us on Sunday, March 4, 2018 after a long courageous battle with Alzheimer's and its complications.

She was a fierce defender of children, working over 30 years as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care to protect them as they were reunited as a family. She was honored as the Advocate of the Year in 2008 for the State of Michigan.

She had a strong sense of service to the Community Meals Program at Faith Reformed Church for years.

She spent a number of years working with struggling readers at Henry Elementary and Riverside Junior High Schools in Grand Rapids.

She had a warm, open heart for young people as part of YMCA Camp Hayo-Went-Ha staff on Torch Lake for 30 years, where she was a confidant, advisor and all-round cheerleader for participants in the program.

All of this was manifested by her deep Christian faith of service to others as written by the prophet Micah – "What does the Lord require of you? Love justice, do mercy and walk humbly with your God."

She will long be remembered by many!

She was an avid cyclist, doing over 1,000 miles a year until infirmities cut it short. She also accompanied her husband on many hiking expeditions on the Appalachian Trail, in the English Lake District and completing the Coast-to-Coast Trail across northern England.

She is survived by her husband of over 65 years, Dr. K. Patrick Rode; her children Greg (Jennifer) of Indianapolis, Dr. Mitchell (Alison) of Berryville, VA, Patrick of Bloomfield Township, Colleen Houpt (Stephen) of East Lansing, and Christopher (Dr. Paula) of Chelsea; eight grandchildren, their spouses, and three great-grandchildren; and a brother Ron Goodyke (Mary). She was preceded in death by both parents, Ben and Nell Goodyke. She graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1951. She was employed at various jobs finally being very successful as a reading teacher at Henry Elementary and Riverside Junior High Schools.

A visitation will take place from 4:00 – 8:00 pm on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
Funeral services will take place at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Faith Reformed Church with a visitation one hour prior. Randy Burgess will officiate. A luncheon will be held immediately following the service at the church.

Contributions in memory of Dody can be directed to; Faith Reformed Community Meals, 1139 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49686, YMCA Camp Hayo-Went-Ha, 919 N. East Torch Lake Drive Central Lake, MI 49622, or the charity of your choice. Envelopes will be available at the visitation and service.


The family would like to thank the staff at The Nest, the critical care people and the Hospice Program for their compassionate care during Dody's last days. We could not have asked for more loving care. Also, we would like to thank our small group at Faith Reformed Church and the entire congregation for their love and prayers.