Rodney Lee Chittenden

An old Methodist farmer went through his final gate, entering heaven to be welcomed by His Lord Jesus. Rodney Lee Chittenden, 92, passed away on November 30, 2025 at the Pioneer Medical Center in Big Timber, Montana. MaryLou, his loving wife of 62 years, was by his side.

Rodney was born on July 3, 1933 in Norfolk, Madison County, Nebraska. He was the beloved only child of LeRoy and Barbara Allen Knapp Chittenden. During his childhood, they moved to Nampa, Idaho, where LeRoy owned a gas station. Rodney was the cute little kid who helped his dad and had the nickname "hamburger," because he always ran across the road for burgers from the hamburger stand.

At the age of 6, Rodney and a friend were out shooting BB guns and the friend accidentally shot Rodney in the left eye. His dad, LeRoy, drove over 100 mph to get Rodney to the doctor. Rodney had a glass eye for the rest of his life. Sometimes he would pop it out and put it in a water glass or hand it to a nurse as a joke.

Rodney graduated from Nampa High School in Nampa, Idaho, on May 23, 1952. His hobbies included hunting, camping, playing guitar (he had dark wavy hair that made him look like Elvis!) and riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. One day he had an accident on a mountain road, and his motorcycle went over the edge of a cliff. He crawled away with a broken leg. "That motorcycle is still down at the bottom of that ravine," according to Grandpa's stories.

In 1956, Rodney was drafted into the U.S. Navy to serve in the Korean War. Rodney went willingly and served for 17 days until they discovered his glass eye. Rodney was honorably discharged on March 28, 1956 to serve his country on the home front.

Rodney had many jobs over the years. He was a crop duster (with one eye!) until one of his crop duster friends tragically hit a power line and died. Rodney also worked as a lineman, Idaho dairy farmer, operating engineer for Birds-Eye foods in Nampa, diversified farmer in Warren County, Iowa, and maintenance professional for the school district in Indianola, Iowa.

In 1963, Rodney met MaryLou Harkness at a wedding of friends in Idaho. Rodney popped the question the day after they met, "Will you marry me?" On September 14, 1963, Rodney and MaryLou were married at Center Chapel United Methodist Church west of Indianola, Iowa. They began their life together on the dairy farm in Idaho where Rodney's parents lived. All three of their children were born during their time there: first Kent, then Joan, and finally Mark.

In 1970, the family moved to Iowa to take over Marylou's parents' farm. Rodney enjoyed farming in Iowa with corn, soybeans, hogs, and a few milk cows, and teaching his boys the value of hard work. His parents followed them to Iowa and helped the family. The farm crisis of the 1970s caused Rodney to find employment at the local school district where he worked until his retirement.

Rodney and MaryLou are long-time members of Center Chapel United Methodist Church serving in various capacities. The yearly ice cream social was a highlight for Rodney. He loved to help MaryLou make gallons and gallons of homemade ice cream in various flavors. Butterfinger was popular with the grandkids. Rodney faithfully attended Sunday school and church for years until his health declined. Rodney is warmly remembered as Rod, Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa. From the time Kent was born while Rodney worked the night shifts at Birds-Eye Foods, to the time his great-granddaughter Jocelyn was born, Rodney could be found napping in his recliner chair with a baby sleeping happily on his chest.

In 2024, Rodney and MaryLou moved to Big Timber, Montana, to be near their son Kent. Rodney was happy to tease the nurses at the Pioneer Medical Center. He enjoyed watching the high school maintenance workers out the window as he ate his meals at the PMC. We thank all of the PMC staff for their kindness in Rodney's last days.

Rodney is preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy and Barbara. He is survived by his loving wife, MaryLou, his three children: Kent (Jenny) of Big Timber, Montana, Joan (Terry) of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Mark (Stephanie) of Ruidoso, New Mexico. Rodney is also survived by his eight grandchildren who fondly remember the haybales and red International tractor: Kallie (Reed), Jacob (Kelly), Kevin (Noel), Joel, Caitlin, Corbin, Brighton, and Everett; and four greatgrandchildren: Jocelyn, Kennedy, Robin and Kingsly. Also surviving are MaryLou's brother Richard and family (Marilyn, Bryan, Craig, Eric and their families) who all recall the fun they had visiting Uncle Rodney's farm.

The family is planning a memorial service for Rodney in Big Timber on Sunday, December 14th at the Pioneer Medical Center cafeteria at 1:30 p.m. Burial will follow at the Mountain View Cemetery, Sweet Grass County, Montana. Rodney's nephew Pastor Bryan Harkness will be officiating. Memorials may be made in Rodney's name to Center Chapel United Methodist Church, 8020 Kennedy St., Indianola, Iowa, 50125. The family thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers, and we pray for all to enter that same Jesus Gate that Rodney chose so long ago.



John 10:7-9 Therefore Jesus said again, "Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep... I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."

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