Rodney A Valentine

Rodney A. "Rod" Valentine, age 68, rural Willow Lake, died peacefully on October 27, 2011 enjoying his last days at home, on the couch, looking out to the east from his big window. A memorial visitaiton will be held on Sunday from 5-7PM at the Grace Lutheran Church in Willow Lake. Memorial services will be held on Monday, October 31, 2011 at 10:30 AM in the Grace Lutheran Church at Willow Lake with the Reverend Keith Garness officiating. Burial will follow in the Collins Cemetery at Willow Lake. The organist will be JoAnn Eggleston with the congregation singing "In the Garden", "Amazing Grace" and "On Eagle's Wings". Honorary casketbearers will be all of his friends and family. The ushers are Jim LaMont and Dale Fonken. Rod was born on July 23, 1943 at Watertown, the son of Matthew and Alta (Miller) Valentine. He attended school at Lake 51 Country School through the 8th grade before graduating from Willow Lake High School in 1961. Following graduation he started farming with his dad, drove a Willow Lake school bus, did road construction, helped construct the Willow Lake gym, and worked for neighbors. On November 21, 1985 he was united in marriage to Barbara Smith Seefeldt. The couple has lived and farmed west of Willow Lake since that time. They have spent 16 winters in Mesa, Arizona, times they really enjoyed together. Rod and Barb enjoyed many cruises over the years with many friends. Besides his love of the land and farming, Rod enjoyed antique collecting, being part of various coffee groups, especially at the Vienna Post Office and being a great storyteller and practical jokester. He thoroughly enjoyed his grandchildren, being an avid fan of theirs during many of their athletic and performing arts events. As many of you know, Rods nickname was "Scooter", a title he earned over the years. He loved anything with wheels and speed! He started out with a scooter at a young age, progressed to a real motorcycle and then later became a private pilot, flying his own plane. As his health and age concerns began happening, he geared down to a 4-wheeler and in later years now, he was content being in the jeep. As his legs continued to give way, lately he could be seen driving another scooter type cart around the farm, even though it was a bit of a bumpy ride. He was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church at Willow Lake, a 30 year member of the Willow Lake Lions Club having served in various offices both locally and regionally. He also served on the Lake Township Board and was a State Square Dance caller. Grateful for having shared in his life is his wife Barb of Willow Lake, children, Todd (Kim) Seefeldt of Clark, Taren (Mike) Madsen of Carpenter and Twila Seefeldt of Idaho; four grandchildren, Tyler (Britanie) Madsen of Omaha, NE, Jared (Laura) Madsen of Aberdeen, Brandi Carpenter and fiancé Matt Lenzen of Garden City and Levi Seefeldt of Clark. He also leaves a great-granddaughter, Alyssa Madsen of Aberdeen and many cousins. Preceding him in death were his parents. For further information, please go to www.furnessfuneralhome.com Furness Funeral Home of Clark is serving the family.