Rodney W. Vanden Noven

Rodney W. Vanden Noven of Waukesha passed away peacefully on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the age of 96. Born on January 14, 1930, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, he was the son of William and Clara (née Kukral) Vanden Noven.

Rodney graduated from Green Bay West High School in 1948 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1953. Following graduation, he began his distinguished career with the City of Waukesha Engineering Department as a Junior Engineer. Over the years, he advanced to Senior Engineer in 1956, City Engineer in 1960, and ultimately served as the Director of Public Works from 1965 until his retirement in 1995, totaling over 41 years of dedicated service to the city. Throughout his career, Rodney was an active member of various professional engineering organizations and held licenses as a Registered Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor.

On September 13, 1958, Rodney married Margarete Antoine in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. She preceded him in death on November 22, 2012. Beyond his professional achievements, Rodney had a profound interest in World War II history. He was a lifelong supporter of the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers and loved watching his children and grandchildren participate in sporting events and other school activities. A devoted family man and respected community member, he was a longtime parishioner of St. Mary Catholic Church in Waukesha. His legacy of dedicated service to the City of Waukesha, his kindness to all who knew him, and his devotion to family and community will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.

Rodney is survived by his children Mary (John) Dietz, Steve (Marnie) Vanden Noven, and Rob (Michelle) Vanden Noven; grandchildren Steven and Sophia Vanden Noven, Matthew, Charlie, Andy, and Timothy Vanden Noven; and step-grandson Thomas Dietz. He is also remembered by other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Margarete, his parents, and his sister, Carol (Robert) Populorum.

A visitation will be held at Corpus Christi Parish-St. William Church, located at 440 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. until the funeral Mass begins at 12:00 p.m. Entombment will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Corpus Christi Parish School or Catholic Memorial High School in Rodney’s name.