Jean Marie Rodin

Jean Marie Rodin, Aberdeen resident, passed away at Pacific Care and Rehabilitation Center on Feb. 5, 2026. She was 96 years old.

Jean was born on July 21, 1929, in Van Hook, North Dakota, to parents John Rust and Elvina (Hansen) Rust. She grew up during the Great Depression on a small farm without electricity or running water. She first met her future husband, Harvey Rodin, at summer Bible camp when she was 15. She graduated from Van Hook High School in 1947. She and Harvey were married on September 7, 1947 in Sanish, North Dakota.

They moved to Fargo where Harvey attended business college and Jean found her first job as an elevator operator in a department store. When Harvey graduated, they moved to Williston, North Dakota, where Jean worked as an office clerk at a utilities company. When they started their family, she became a stay-at-home mom, caring for their three children: Sue, Sheryl, and John, all born in North Dakota. The family relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 1957, living in Longview, Washington for a year before settling permanently in Aberdeen in 1959.

Jean was a member of the Aberdeen First Baptist Church, where she served as the church secretary, deaconess, pianist, and Sunday school teacher, while also working part-time as an office clerk for Grays Harbor Fuel and Bay City Fuel. Later, she and Harvey attended and served at the Central Park Baptist Church. For many years Jean volunteered her time at the local Christian television station, as well as with Child Evangelism Fellowship. She also enjoyed serving at the food bank and the clothing bank. She and Harvey were very hospitable and welcoming, and opened their home to family and their wide variety of friends. They had a faithful ministry of visitation to those in need. Jean wrote hundreds of letters of encouragement on her lovely homemade cards. She was a skilled seamstress, an avid gardener, and a wonderful baker of cookies and cakes. She loved to go for walks, do crossword and jigsaw puzzles and read a good book. Jean was a faithful and supportive wife, a nurturing and loving mother, a much-loved and amazing grandma and “gigi,” and a kind and caring friend to many. She experienced the love of Christ for herself, and extended that love to others.

Jean is survived by her son, John (Julie) Rodin of Hoquiam; daughters, Sheryl (Gary) Carvalho of Graham and Susan Van Volkinburg of Cosmopolis; brother, Stan Rust of Seattle; 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey; parents John and Elvina Rust; brothers John Rust Jr., Bob Rust, Ben Rust and Ted Rust; and her sister Ruth Shenenberger.

A private graveside service was held at the Wynoochee Cemetery in Montesano. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 14 at 1 p.m. at Central Park Baptist Church.

Jean’s family would like to thank the staff at Pacific Care Center for their compassionate and supportive care during their mom’s stay there.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary.