In Memory of Roberta Cordes

Roberta “Bobbe” Cordes, age 85, of Des Moines, Iowa (formerly of Odebolt, Iowa) passed away on Monday, August 14, 2023, at the Valley View Village of Des Moines, Iowa.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 26, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Rev. Kevin J. Freese will officiate.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Friday, August 25, 2023, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be sent to the P.E.O. foundation at 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312 which provides grants, scholarships, loans and awards to help deserving women pursue their educational goals or the Animal Rescue league of Iowa.

On May 19, 1938, George E. Rodman, an electrical engineer with the Commonwealth Edison Co. and his wife Hedwig “Harriet” (Surdyk), welcomed their oldest daughter, Roberta “Bobbe” Rodman in the city of Chicago.

She grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, along with her younger sister Patricia. Bobbe received her education in the Wheaton Community School District, graduating with the class of 1956. She went on to further her education at Iowa State University (ISU), where she graduated with a B.S. in Home Economics Education in May of 1960. 

While attending ISU, Bobbe met the love of her life Richard “Dick” Cordes on a blind date. On August 23, 1959, they were united into marriage in Indianola, Iowa. The couple made their first home together near Havana, Illinois, where Bobbe taught high school Home Ec classes and Dick was a feedlot manager at Norris Farms for 12 years. Bobbe and Dick were blessed with two children together, a son Rick and a daughter Michelle. At the time Bobbe was very active in the local Junior Women’s Club and served as President in 1965. 

In 1972 the family relocated to Odebolt, Iowa, where Dick branched into agribusiness and Bobbe pursued her passion for interior design. With a flair for decorating, Bobbe enjoyed decorating homes in the Sac and Ida County communities for over 30 years, while owning and operating Bobbe’s Decor.  

Bobbe took pride in her home on Lincoln Ave. and was always on the hunt for that perfect piece of antique furniture or porcelain figurine to add to her home decor. She was a gracious hostess and an excellent cook. Bobbe enjoyed decorating her home for the holidays and inviting her friends and family over for wonderful holiday meals. She also liked helping others plan for parties and had an eye for table decorations. 

Bobbe was an active member of P.E.O. and the Questers for numerous years. She was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Odebolt where she served on many committees over the years. In her pastime, she loved gardening, traveling, and in her later years caring for her many cats.

Survivors include her daughter Michelle (Joe Duddy) of Ames, IA; daughter-in-law Paula Cordes of Des Moines, IA; grandchildren and honorary grandchildren: Jacqueline, Mavluda, Clayton, Ali, Kim, and Jessica; and sister Patricia (E.J.) Stevens of Freeport, IL.

Bobbe was preceded in death by her parents George E. and Harriet Rodman; husband Richard “Dick” Cordes; and son Rick Cordes.