Rodney Rohr

Rodney B. Rohr, age 80, of Kerkhoven and formerly of Willmar, died Thursday evening, Jan. 3, at his home, following an extended illness.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar with Father Steven Verhelst officiating. The interment will be at a later date at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Friends may call from 5-8 P.M. Monday with a 7:30 P.M. parish prayer service at the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and at the church one hour prior to the services. Memorials are preferred to Rice Hospice.

Rodney Blair Rohr was born on October 5, 1927 in Rosewood, Ohio, the son of Martha Mildred (Blair) and Harrison Rohr. He grew up and received his education in Casstown, Ohio, and graduated from Lost Creek High School in 1945. He enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1945 and served until 1946. Rod returned to Ohio and farmed with his father. He was married to Virginia Heck on February 14, 1948, in Christiansburg, Ohio. In 1957, went to work for FS Royster Guano Company of Norfolk, Virginia. He was with them 10 years traveling all over the United States. On March 9, 1967, he was married to Carol Conners in Gladewater, Texas. They made their home in Minneapolis for about six months working for Willmar Manufacturing and moved to Willmar in 1969. Rod worked for Willmar Manufacturing for 13 years before retiring in about 1982. He was a member of the Elks for nearly 40 years and was Exalted Ruler in 1982, Elk of the Year, a member of the Elks National Foundation and held many other Elks offices. He was also a member of Austin F. Hanscom American Legion Post 167, Finstad Week V.F.W. Post 1639, AP Transport Reunion Group of the U.S. Coast Guard and was active with the Republican Party. He loved being with friends and family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling.

He is survived by his wife, Carol of Kerkhoven; a son, Gene (and Rozina "Sam") Rohr of Thornton, Colorado; two daughters, Arlene (and Steve) Taylor of Greensboro, North Carolina, Amy (and Robert) Tersteeg of Willmar; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Richard (and Lois) Rohr of Conover, Ohio, Ben (and Diane) Rohr of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; a sister, Alice Argabright of St. Paris, Ohio; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.