Rodney James Michalski

Rodney James "Rod" Michalski, age 68, lifelong Willow Lake area resident, died in the Sanford USD Medical Center on Monday evening, June 13, 2011 after a lingering illness. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 17, 2011 at 10:30 AM in the Furness Funeral Home Chapel at Clark with The Reverend Marjie Brewton officiating. Burial will be private. Music will be presented by John Kannegieter and Ann Larson singing "The Old Rugged Cross". Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2011 from 5PM-8PM at the Furness Funeral Home Chapel and after 9AM on Friday morning also in the Chapel. Rod Michalski was born on October 8, 1942 at Clark, SD, the son of Sylvester and Dorathy (Nogelmeier) Michalski. He was baptized and confirmed in the St. James Catholic Church at Willow Lake. Rod attended school in Hague and Lake Township prior to going to the Willow Lake School graduating in 1960. After high school Rod worked on the family farm in Lake Township, northwest of Willow Lake. He also worked during the winters in Minneapolis and then locally for Earl Schlagel Construction, moving snow. During that time of employment, moving snow in Hague Township, is where he met his future bride, Rhonda Bruley. He was united in marriage to Rhonda Bruley on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1970. They have lived, farmed and ranched in Hague Township since. Rod thoroughly enjoyed having his family around, especially the grandchildren; they were light of his life. Rod enjoyed watching all sports on television and attending sporting events. He was a former member of the Willow Lake Lion's Club. Besides his love of family, another passion of his was hunting, as all of you know, hunting literally anything! Preceding him in death were his parents. Grateful for having been a part of his life is his wife Rhonda, children, Darin (Jessica) Michalski and Tia (Jim) Felberg all of Willow Lake, 8 grandchildren, Cutler, Kasey and Shay Michalski and Adrianna, Kaplan, Sullivan, Archer and Trigg Felberg. He also lives siblings Phyllis Larson of Coon Rapids, MN and Sally Jo (Greg) Ingemunson of Black Hawk, SD. Furness Funeral Home of Clark is serving the family where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com