Roderick Neal Stave

Roderick “Rod” Neal Stave was born July 15, 1935 to Theodore & Josie (Haugen) Stave. He was raised on the family homestead in Roberts County, South Dakota. All of his grandparents emigrated from Norway in the 1890s. His paternal grandfather was a founding member of Ferkingstad Church. Roderick valued his Lutheran faith & Norwegian heritage.

He enjoyed his childhood on the family farm, surrounded by his parents, grandparents, his sister Diane, and lots of uncles, aunts and cousins. He fondly recalled stories of him sitting on his grandfather’s lap, reading the Bible together. He attended a township school, “walking a mile north of home,” then high school through his sophomore year in New Effington, South Dakota. He spent his last two years at Oak Grove Lutheran High School in Fargo, North Dakota, graduating in 1953. There he met the joy of his life, Joyce Dellerise Flom. He often spoke of walking past the campus chapel, “hearing her sing like an angel.” They graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota in 1957. For their junior year, they attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. To help pay his way through college, he would pack his car with eggs from the farm to sell in Minneapolis over 200 miles away.

Roderick & Joyce were married on June 1, 1957. They lived their life together raising three children; teaching in many towns in Minnesota, principally in Wadena; farming during weekends & the summer; plus, living two years in Chicago, Illinois, where Rod served in the 5th Army Band & where their first child, Roderick “Rick” Neal, Jr, was born in 1958. After their children had flown the coop, they enjoyed their retirement years with family & friends on their “Golden Pond” in Park Rapids as well as travelling throughout the United States in a camper trailer. They also travelled to Norway to reconnect with their heritage.

Faith was an essential part of their life. They were very involved in Zion Free Lutheran Church in Wadena & Faithbridge Church in Park Rapids.

After Joyce passed away in January 2020, Roderick missed her dearly. He went on to find new friends. In particular, Ginny Riley was a wonderful part of his last few years, providing companionship, joy & care through the end of his life.

On August 20, 2025, Roderick passed away to be with his Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. God gives the gift of life. Let us celebrate his life.

Roderick is survived by his children, Rick & Mark both in Oregon with Melodee & her husband Daniel in Colorado; his grandchildren & great-grandchildren in Oregon, Lindsey & Jon with their son Luke (aka “Tornado” by his great-grandfather); Michael; Ryan; Cole & Taylor; Aaron; plus Kiersten & Tristan with their children Matthias & Hazel.

Roderick was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore & Josie Stave; Joyce’s parents, Nels & Violet Flom; and, his sister, Diane R. Stave. He will be buried in Ferkingstad Cemetery on Friday, September 19 at 11 am.