Memorial Thursday for Debra Rodaway

A celebration of life is scheduled Thursday for Debra Marie Rodaway, office associate in the UNMC College of Dentistry dean’s office, who died July 5.

Debra Rodaway

Rodaway worked for the University of Nebraska for 35 years, working in the department of agronomy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln before beginning her career at the UNMC College of Dentistry. Her first appointment at the college was in the department of orthodontics; she later transferred to the dean’s office.

“Deb was a valuable member of the dean’s office team,” said colleague and friend Catherine Rutt, administrative associate in the UNMC College of Dentistry dean’s office. “She had many talents and was especially skilled in word processing. She coordinated the Clinic Transition and White Coat Ceremonies, maintained the College of Dentistry alumni database and worked closely with the University of Nebraska Foundation in the acknowledgement of gifts to the college.”

Rodaway played an important role in the college’s accreditation process, as well, said Janet Guthmiller, D.D.S., Ph.D., dean of the college.

“She worked closely with the accreditation team in the preparation of accreditation documents. Deb especially enjoyed interacting with our alums in conjunction with Dean’s Club Dinner and Alumni Reunion events,” she said. “She was always one to lend a helping hand.”

Rodaway’s contributions twice were recognized with the UNMC Silver U Award.

Colleagues will also remember Rodaway’s holiday decorations and her peaches and cream cheesecake, which she would bring to the office warm out of the oven.

Rodaway is survived by her husband Keith, sons Jason (Lori) Rodaway, Brian Rodaway, Brad (Rebecca) Rodaway, daughter-in-law Kelley Oligmueller, and grandchildren Carly, Brayden, Trenten, Turner, Rory, Larson and Reese. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Steven Stierwalt.

The celebration of life is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, July 13, at Roper & Sons Mortuary, 4300 O St., Lincoln. The family has requested memorials to the College of Dentistry in care of the University of Nebraska Foundation, 1010 Lincoln Mall, Suite 300, Lincoln, NE 68508. (Please note “College of Dentistry” in the memo portion of checks.)

Read the full obit online and leave memories below.