Arnold R. Rode

Arnold R. Rode
June 21, 1934 • April 7, 2016
 
Master Sergeant Arnold Robert Rode, 81, of St. Francis, Minnesota, died  Thursday, April 7, 2016, at the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Fergus Falls.
A Memorial Service was held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 16, 2016, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls. Pastor Timothy Vaughn officiated.
Arnold was born  June 21, 1934 to Rudolf and Martha (Papstein) Rode in Lynch, Nebraska. He graduated from Benson High School in 1951.
August 8, 1954, he was married to Claudia Elaine Pederson in Appleton.
From 1963 to 1966, the family lived in Germany and traveled to Italy, France, Austria and Switzerland. Arnold was enlisted in the United States Army for 26 years. He was an Army marksman, coach and captain of the All Army Pistol Team, and in 1968, was one of the Top 10 marksmen in the United States. He served in Korea from 1960 to 1961. His first tour of Vietnam was from 1968 to 1969 and his second tour was from 1971 to 1972. Starting in 1973, Arnold worked as a professor of military science (ROTC) at St. John’s University. He retired from the military in 1979. He was the recipient of many medals, but his Distinguished Shooters Medal was his most personally prized medal.
After retiring from the United States Army, Arnold was also employed at Melrose Fertilizer, for the Minnesota Forestry Service as a firefighter and park ranger, and attended the police academy at the age of 60 as a sheriff deputy reserve in Bernillo County, NM.
Arnold was a member of the VFW and American Legion. He was also a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, LCMS, in St. Francis.  He served as elder, Sunday school teacher and confirmation instructor in many LCMS churches.
Arnold enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, gardening, woodworking, jewelry making, agate hunting, ceramics, church building, camping, building rifles, shell reloading and card and board games.
Arnold is survived by his wife of 61 years, Claudia Rode; his children, Vicky Ann (Brad) Borud, Julie Ann (Randy Alden) Schwinghammer; a daughter-in-law, Tari Lynn Rode; his grandchildren, Sarah Gross, Joshua Rode, Arnold R. Rode III, BreAnne Schwinghammer, April Frazier, James Rode, Amanda Schwinghammer, Adam Frazier and Jacob Rauker; his great-grandchildren, Joshua Rode Jr., Tajmaah August, Janai Rode, Claudia Latare, Evyn Gross, Liam Rode, Kingston Rode and Rowan Rode; a brother, Edwin Rode; and a sister, Betty Waters.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolf and Martha Rode; a brother, Wilbur Rode; a son, Arnold Robert Rode Jr.; and a great-grandson, Elliot Gross.
Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com