Rodney Maurice Wubbena

Rodney Maurice Wubbena, 88, died Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Big Meadows Nursing Home, in Savanna, Illinois. Cremation rites have been accorded. A celebration of life will be held on a later date.

Rod was born March 31, 1938, in Rock City, Illinois, the son of Maurice and Marie (Hake) Wubbena. He attended Florence Station country school as a boy, and in his teenage years, began farming full-time. On December 31, 1986, Rodney married Susan Isley. She preceded him in death on April 1, 2024.

Rodney was a lifelong farmer. He loved tractors and farm equipment, and even after retiring, he read countless tractor magazines. He took great pride in keeping his father's Farmall M tractor running throughout his farming career and beyond.

When Rod retired, he and Susan went from being farm people to boat people! In the 1990s, they made their home in Riverview, outside of Thomson, where they loved being close to the river. They spent many happy days on the water and made friends along the Mississippi that lasted through the years.

Rod was a quiet and reserved man, which balanced out his beloved wife Susan, known as "Swiss Miss," who was the life of the party. Together they made a well-matched pair, and many who knew them remember the warmth between them. He had a soft spot for animals, with moose and eagles among his favorites. He also had a folksy wisdom about him; firmly believing that blackberry brandy could cure all ailments.

Rod will be dearly missed by his stepson, Brian (Patty) Christen of Bend, Oregon; great-granddaughter, Mia Roman-Ramirez; great-great-grandchildren, Miles and Carmen Rose; and his sister, Sharyle Pick of Pearl City, Illinois. He is preceded in death by his wife, Susan; his parents, Maurice and Marie; his brother, Randall Wubbena; his sister, Farida Toepfer; and his grandson, Joshua Christen.