Rodney J. Mara

Rodney was born in Alameda, CA on June 14, 1951 to the late John and Edna Mara. He earned his B.A. in History at San Jose State College in 1974. In 1979, he graduated from Concordia Teachers College in Seward, NE with a certificate as a Director of Christian Education (DCE). It was at a local diner in Seward where he met Julie Schellhas who graduated the same year with a teaching degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. They were married in Frankenmuth, MI on June 23, 1979.

Rodney went on to serve in the following congregations:

Our Savior Lutheran Church - Tulsa, OK

Grace Lutheran Church - Little Rock, AK

Calvary Lutheran Church - Havertown, PA

Redeemer Lutheran Church - Salt Lake City, UT

Trinity Lutheran Church - Stockton, CA

St. Peter Lutheran Church - Lodi, CA

He served in many capacities: DCE, Adult Education, Youth Group leader, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School leader, Principal, and Teacher.

Rodney had a passion for History, especially World War I and World War II. His collection of helmets, swords and weaponry were a source of pride and interest. He had a love for his home baseball team, the San Francisco Giants. Their 2010, 2012, and 2014 World Series wins were a thrill for him. Rod's love for learning and gift of teaching were evident throughout his 36 years of ministry. He was known for his “dad” jokes and implemented them regularly while teaching.

Rodney is survived by his wife, Julie (Schellhas) Mara; daughter, Patricia (Andrew Ward) Mara; son, Joshua (Diane Cao) Mara; brother-in-law, Mike Rappe’; niece, Carrie Morgan; nephew, Brian Rappe’; and great-nephew, Christopher Morgan. He is predeceased by his sister, Cheryle (Mara) Rappe’.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Peter Lutheran School https://splodichurch.org/give– Rod Mara Scholarship; Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation - https://themmrf.org/; and The American Kidney Fund - https://www.kidneyfund.org/.

A celebration of life for Rodney will be held Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 2400 Oxford Way, Lodi, California 95242.