` ROD `COACH` LUNDBERG Rod Lundberg, age 73, renowned area athletic statesman, was born into Eternal Life on Friday, November 26, 2004 at the Hayward Area Memorial Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. Rodney Charles was born on July 22, 1931 in Superior, WI, the son of Sigfred and Elsie (Stolpe) Lundberg. He attended John Ericsson Elementary School and then Superior Central High School, graduating in 1950. Rod then attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison from 1950 until 1951. He was united in marriage to Lois LeRoy on August 16, 1952 in Superior, WI. Rod graduated from the Wisconsin State University-Superior in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and science. He also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education in 1959 from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. In 1965, he received his Masters degree in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Rod began his long involvement with athletics while still in high school as he was selected to the North Football Squad in 1950. In 1953, he was the leading scorer for the Superior State College`s football team. In 1956, he began his dedicated and extensive career with Hayward High School where he served as a teacher for 42 years, athletic director for 40 years, head football coach for 26 years, as well as a coach for basketball, track, and golf for many years. He was the Hurricane football statistician for over 25 years. As testimony to his years of devotion to Hayward`s athletic program, the high school football field was designated as `Rod Lundberg Field` in 1990. Rod`s influence extended beyond the bounds of Hayward High School`s athletic program into the northwest region and throughout the state of Wisconsin. From 1969 to 1971, he served on the Sports Advisory Committee for the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA). He was also a football and basketball official for the WIAA. In 1970, he became a charter member and chairman of the Athletic Directors Advisory Committee. In 1980, Rod was honored as the Athletic Director of the Year for District I. He was inducted into the `Hall of Fame` for the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 1981. Rod served for many years on the WIAA Basketball, Hockey, and Volleyball Officials Selection Committees and pioneered the Northwest Hockey Conference. The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) honored him with an `Award of Merit` in 1993. He was inducted in the Wisconsin High School Football Coaches Association (WHSFCA) `Hall of Fame` in 1994 and into the Superior Chamber of Commerce`s `Athletic Hall of Fame` in 1998. Rod was known throughout the Hayward area for his widespread community involvement. He served as the `Chief of Competition` for the World Lumberjack Championships for 36 years and was a race official and chief for the American Birkebeiner since the Birkie inception. He was named `Hayward Citizen of the Year` in 1990. In 2004, he was the first inductee into the Birkebeiner`s `Hall of Fame.` Rod was a Hayward Area All-sports Booster member for over 30 years and served as the chairman for the Hayward Area Cancer Society and its `Relay for Life`. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Hayward Hawks. An active Hayward Lions Club member, Rod received their `Melvin Jones Fellow` Award for 2003-2004. Rod will long be remembered as the devoted, enthusiastic `Kids` Games` Director for both Musky Festival and Fourth of July celebrations for many, many years. Rod was a founding member of the Northern Lights Christian Center in Hayward. He has been a church officer since 1963, serving as an elder and finance secretary/treasurer. Rod was well loved by his family, his fellow church members, and the entire extended Hayward community. He leaves behind a great legacy of faith and of volunteerism, a wonderful family, and a multitude of friends whom he influenced across the country and around the world. Rod is survived by his wife, Lois of Hayward; two sons: Gregg (Linda) of Lake Nebagamon, WI and Scott (Linda) of Hayward; three daughters: Lynn (Rick) Parish of Waupun, WI, Beth (Joe) Olsen of Fridley, MN, and Dana (Jeff) Finstad of Waupun, WI; twelve grandchildren: Troy, Erik, Nikki, Krista, John, Meggan, Aaron, Michael, Chad, Halle, Amanda, and Alexa; one great granddaughter Zoe; one brother: Chuck (Gloria) Lundberg of Superior, WI; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Bob and Roland, and one sister JoAnn. The funeral service for Rod Lundberg will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 4th in the R.J.S. Gymnasium of the Hayward High School. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 3rd at the Northern Lights Christian Center and again on Saturday from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 p.m. at the High School Gymnasium. Interment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Hayward. Honorary casket bearers will be Arnie Ahlgren, Lee Bonicatto, Mel Friskie, Ron Jacott, Jim Klippel, Bob Schmidt, Larry Somerville, and Dan Winters. Casket bearers will be Jeff Finstad; Chuck, Erik, Gregg, Scott, and Troy Lundberg; Joe Olsen, and John and Rick Parish. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to either the Northern Lights Christian Center or to the Hayward High School Athletic Department for a scholarship in Rod`s name. The Anderson-Nathan Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. `

Anderson-Nathan-Koerpel Funera