Yvonne Roden

Yvonne Lucille (Barthel) Roden, age 87, of Granite Falls — formerly of Albertville, Monticello, and Clear Lake — was called home to our loving God on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the Granite Falls Care Center.

Yvonne was born on February 23, 1938, in Minneapolis, the daughter of Roman and Colette (Scherber) Barthel. She lived in Minneapolis for only a few years before moving to the family farm in St. Michael at age seven. Two years later, the family settled in Albertville. Yvonne attended St. Albert Catholic School and graduated from Albertville High School in 1956. Following graduation, she worked for many years for Dr. Thielen in St. Michael.

In 1956, Yvonne met her future husband, Louis “Louie” Roden, and the couple married on April 12, 1958, in Albertville. Together they raised three beautiful daughters — Lynn, Jeanie, and Mary Jo — while living on the family farm. In 1964, they moved to Monticello, where their family grew to include their son Rick and daughter Peggy.

In 1971, Louie and Yvonne moved their family to Granite Falls, Minnesota, where they opened a Coast-to-Coast Hardware Store. After nearly two decades in business, they sold the store in 1989 and moved to Clear Lake, Minnesota, to serve as caretakers of the Travelers Country Club. They retired from that position in 2001 and enjoyed many years as “snowbirds,” spending winters in Texas and summers in Clear Lake. In 2016, they returned to Granite Falls — a place that always felt like home.

Yvonne loved playing cards, cribbage, and bingo, and she found great joy in sharing laughter and stories with others. She and Louie treasured family camping trips and warm summer days spent together. Faith was central to their lives, and they remained devoted Catholics, raising their children in that same faith.

Yvonne is survived by her children: Lynn (Steve) Zimmerman, Jeanie (Pete) Knudsen, Rick (Kathy) Roden, and Peggy (Mark) Frederickson; son-in-law, Brad Bakken; nine grandchildren: Michael (Stephanie) Zimmerman, Katelyn (John) Underwood, Jared Bakken, Becca (Scott) Doherty, Tara (Justin) Tongen, Danielle (Adam) Koepke, Kali (Zack) Templin, Lexi Knudsen, and Nicole Frederickson; and thirteen great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roman and Colette Barthel; her beloved husband, Louis Roden; daughter, Mary Jo Bakken; and brothers, Kenneth and Roger Barthel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Granite Falls. Visitation will one hour prior to the service. Burial will be held at a later date in St. Albert’s Catholic Cemetery in Albertville, Minnesota.