Rodney Cotten

Rodney Cotten ObituaryRodney Cotten, 72 of Henry, SD passed away on September 23, 2025.
Funeral Mass will be at 11:00am on Monday September 29, 2025 at Immaculate Conception Church in Watertown, SD with Father Richard Baumberger officiating.
Visitation will be on Sunday, September 28, 2025 from 3:00 - 6:00pm at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown, SD with a Rosary to start at 3:00pm.
Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Watertown. Pallbearers will be, Charlie Appelhof, Ronnie Bastian, Tim Johnson, Ricky Nelson, Jerry Tordoff and Steve Kittelson.
Rodney Bruce Cotten, 72, of Henry SD, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and daughters on September 23rd, 2025, after a courageous 16-month battle with cancer.
Rodney was born in Watertown, SD on March 21, 1953 to Bruce and Helen (Borns) Cotten. He grew up on a farm west of Watertown with his two brothers, Gary and Kelly. Rod attended country school through 8th grade and graduated from Watertown High School in 1971. Rod was on the Arrow Wrestling team throughout his high school career and also enjoyed many years on the Sioux Valley ballfield playing fastpitch softball.
Rod attended Lake Area Tech in Watertown and graduated with a degree in Ag. Business. Rod's first job was at the Hazel elevator where he earned $1.65 per hour. He also worked at the Watertown Coop before starting his own grain cleaning business in 1980. He owned and operated "Cotten Seed Service" for 44 years cleaning grain for many area farmers. Rod always made sure the job was done right and was very proud of the hard work he did. His most recent volunteer, last resort, "hired-man" was his wife of 45 years, Julie. They spent many long days on the job together and each of them had stories to tell about it.
Rod married his high school sweetheart, Julie Briggs, in 1980 at St. Ann's Chapel in Watertown, SD. Rod and Julie were blessed with 2 daughters, Kendra and Kelsey. Rod was very proud of his girls and rarely missed a sporting event, school play, or concert they were involved in. He also enjoyed taking his girls hunting and golfing, and teaching them about all the tools in his toolbox. There wasn't anything Rod couldn't fix. He had a knack for taking things apart, fixing the issue, and putting them back together. Rod, known as "RB" by many, always seemed to have a witty comment for every situation. Making people laugh was one of his favorite things to do.
As an adult, Rod enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing and bowling. Cotten Seed Service proudly sponsored many bowling teams over the years, and Rod was also proud of the success that he and his brother Gary had golfing many years in the men's league at the Watertown Muni. Rod was a volunteer on the Henry Fire Department and the Henry Development Board for many years. He was often seen helping mow or spray around the town of Henry and also helped out with his brother Gary's lawn spraying business. Rod was generous with his time, talent and treasure and never seemed to tell anyone "no" - especially his grandchildren.
Rod is survived by his loving wife, Julie; daughter, Kendra (Jordan) Widstrom of Mitchell; daughter, Kelsey (Chris) Hill of Plankinton and his 5 grandchildren, Lara, Marshall and Nolan Widstrom and Keagan and Claire Hill; brother, Gary (Paulette) of Watertown; and many nieces, nephews, brothers & sisters in-law.
Rod was preceded in death by his parents, Bruce and Helen; his father and mother-in-law, Robert and Donna Briggs; his brother, Kelly Cotten; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements by Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel ~ www.wightandcomes.com
Rodney Cotten, 72 of Henry, SD passed away on September 23, 2025.
Funeral Mass will be at 11:00am on Monday September 29, 2025 at Immaculate Conception Church in Watertown, SD with Father Richard Baumberger officiating.
Visitation will be on Sunday, September 28, 2025 from 3:00 - 6:00pm at the Wight & Co