Our loving and beautiful mother, Sylvia Edna (Rothenberger) Sodke, born March 1st,1940, was called to Heaven January 31st, 2022 at age 81. Her daughter and son, Roxana and Audie, were at her side. Her final years she lived at Care Partners Memory Care of Weston. Sylvia received 5 star treatment thus winning over several staff members with her old fashioned wit and weathered wisdom. A blessing. An inspirational history. Not too many people know that Sylvia was also a HERO. Her, then husband, and 4 older children were in a car accident knocking everyone unconscious, except herself. She managed to pull all 4 children out and her, then husband. Seconds later, the car exploded. Her daughter, Roxana, then age 3, recalls waking up in the far back of the ambulance being held by an ambulance attendant as her mother was sitting up front, explaining the situation, while the other 3 children were in the middle, also being held. Their father was in a different ambulance. 6 years later Sylvia divorced, saving herself and her children from further physical abuse. She protected them the best she could and moved them from country living to the city. Shortly after she discovered she was pregnant with Audie. So much for birth control! Audie and Roxana made sure their mother collected on her ex husband's social security when she retired. In Sylvia's early years, she cooked for a living at several restaurants to make ends meet. At home she would cook delicious meals and bake homemade candies. She had many talents. A crochet afghan gifted from Sylvia was the best! Her last job before retiring was delivering pizzas. She left fond memories with her customers. Sylvia made good tips. Her best and most funny tip was when she received - what she thought was a cigarette. So, she put it behind her ear and delivered pizzas the rest of the night. Upon arriving home after work, Audie asked, "What is behind your ear?" She laughed and replied, "I haven't had a cigarette in over 20 years. Someone thought I still smoked!" Audie requested, "Mom, give me that!?" and flushed it. Sylvia didn't know it was a joint! Along with casino runs, reading was her escape from reality. Audie spent every Sunday with his mom. Movies, restaurants, catching up on T.V. episodes, those 2 did it all. Roxana was her mom's "go-fer", road trip guide and in charge of her health care/medical decisions, along with her own daughter, Tabitha. Roxana's son, Steven, helped with rides. Sylvia had special relationships with her 2 oldest grandchildren, Tabitha and Steven, as well as her 2 oldest great grandchildren, Sophia and Jaxom. The 2 oldest great grandchildren were especially close knit: sharing drinks, conversations and time with their Great Nana. Even holidays at their home. Sylvia is survived by her 5 children; Oldest: Gordon Sodke, Brian Sodke, middle child: Roxana (Richard Leonard Sr) Gibson, Sylvia Grob, and her precious baby boy: Audie Sodke. Her grandchildren; Tabitha (Joshua) Blaser, Steven Hoffmann, Brian Sodke II, Angela Sodke, Johanna Sodke and Richard Sodke. Her GREAT grandchildren; Jaxom Blaser, Sophia Blaser (Great Nana's manicurist & pedicurist), Trista Ford, Bentley Ford and another great grandbaby on the way. Sylvia is also survived by her siblings; Johanna Powers, Eugenia Rothenberger, Janet (Wesley) Radtke, Larry (Pam) Roth, Ronald (Johanna) Rothenberger, Roger Rothenberger, half siblings; Joan and Fred. Her favorite sister-in-law, Doris (Sodke) Erdman and many nieces and nephews. Sylivia is preceded in death by; Her beautiful mother: Jeannette (Bunde) Rothenberger - who raised the 12 children -, her father: Eugene Rothenberger. Her siblings; Eva Rothenberger, Andrew Rothenberger, Shirley Rothenberger, Eugene Rothenberger, Jerry Rothenberger, 1 half sibling: John. And her ex husband: Gordon P.R. Sodke. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 We are celebrating with both God's blessing and Sylvia's own wishes to throw her a party. We are celebrating Sylvia's life! March 1st, 2PM - 4PM, John J Buettgen Funeral Home 948 Grand Ave. Schofield, WI 54476