Wendy Kathleen Arnold-Rodriguez
January 28, 1972 — March 25, 2021
Wendy Kathleen Arnold-Rodriguez, 49, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on March 25, 2021, after a courageous battle with Stage 4 ovarian cancer.
Born on January 28, 1972, Wendy grew up in Denmark, Iowa. She graduated from Fort Madison Senior High in 1990; Kirkwood Community College in 1992 with an AA Degree; and the University of Iowa in 1995 with a BA in History. She spent her senior year of college studying at the University of San Sebastian, Spain. After college, Wendy lived in Nagano, Japan for several years teaching English. While in Japan, she met Carlos Rodriguez, and in 1997 they married in Lima, Peru. They moved back to Cedar Rapids, where Wendy worked at the Catherine McAuley Center as the Education Program Manager while obtaining her Master’s Degree in TESOL from the University of Northern Iowa. For the past several years, she worked as an ELL instructor in the College Community School District in Cedar Rapids.
Wendy was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents (Fred & Alathea); maternal grandparents (Edwin & Lucille Reinhart); and husband, Carlos Rodriguez. She is survived by her children, Alec and Ava; parents Fred & Sharon Arnold of Fort Madison, Iowa; sister Stacey McPherson (Wynn) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; brother Daniel Arnold (Trista) of Donnellson, Iowa; numerous nieces and nephews, along with many other extended family, close friends, colleagues, and students. Wendy enjoyed attending her children’s numerous sports activities and band recitals, mentoring, international travel, photography, DIY projects, and cooking. Out of her many accomplishments and achievements, Alec and Ava were her biggest source of pride and adoration.
Wendy lived her entire life with tenacity, courage, purpose, and strength. She was headstrong, determined, spoke her mind, and never hesitated to stand up for others (and herself). A truly wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, educator, and colleague, no words can adequately describe how much she will be missed. Wendy will be remembered for her spunky attitude, stellar work ethic, fierce loyalty, and unwavering bravery against incredible obstacles. She was an inspirational example of living life to the fullest each and every day - with authenticity, conviction, integrity, and determination.
Due to COVID and an abundance of caution for others, a memorial service celebrating Wendy’s amazing life will be held this summer.
In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Alec and Ava’s educational funds.
Born on January 28, 1972, Wendy grew up in Denmark, Iowa. She graduated from Fort Madison Senior High in 1990; Kirkwood Community College in 1992 with an AA Degree; and the University of Iowa in 1995 with a BA in History. She spent her senior year of college studying at the University of San Sebastian, Spain. After college, Wendy lived in Nagano, Japan for several years teaching English. While in Japan, she met Carlos Rodriguez, and in 1997 they married in Lima, Peru. They moved back to Cedar Rapids, where Wendy worked at the Catherine McAuley Center as the Education Program Manager while obtaining her Master’s Degree in TESOL from the University of Northern Iowa. For the past several years, she worked as an ELL instructor in the College Community School District in Cedar Rapids.
Wendy was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents (Fred & Alathea); maternal grandparents (Edwin & Lucille Reinhart); and husband, Carlos Rodriguez. She is survived by her children, Alec and Ava; parents Fred & Sharon Arnold of Fort Madison, Iowa; sister Stacey McPherson (Wynn) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; brother Daniel Arnold (Trista) of Donnellson, Iowa; numerous nieces and nephews, along with many other extended family, close friends, colleagues, and students. Wendy enjoyed attending her children’s numerous sports activities and band recitals, mentoring, international travel, photography, DIY projects, and cooking. Out of her many accomplishments and achievements, Alec and Ava were her biggest source of pride and adoration.
Wendy lived her entire life with tenacity, courage, purpose, and strength. She was headstrong, determined, spoke her mind, and never hesitated to stand up for others (and herself). A truly wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, educator, and colleague, no words can adequately describe how much she will be missed. Wendy will be remembered for her spunky attitude, stellar work ethic, fierce loyalty, and unwavering bravery against incredible obstacles. She was an inspirational example of living life to the fullest each and every day - with authenticity, conviction, integrity, and determination.
Due to COVID and an abundance of caution for others, a memorial service celebrating Wendy’s amazing life will be held this summer.
In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Alec and Ava’s educational funds.
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