Rodney Piepho

Funeral services for Rodney Clarence Piepho of Eagle Bend will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, September 25, 2014, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Eagle Bend with Rev. Dr. Randy Taber of the Mount Olivet Methodist Church in Robbinsdale, MN, presiding. Friends may call on Wednesday at the church from 5:00 until 8:00 PM and again on Thursday from 12:30 PM until the time of services. Rod passed away at the age of 62 years on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at his home west of Eagle Bend. Rodney Clarence Piepho was born on August 4, 1952 to Clarence Frank and Alice Adella (Terry) Piepho at Bertha, MN. He was baptized in 1958 and confirmed in 1967 at the Faith United Church of Christ in Bertha. He attended Country School from 1958 until 1966 and graduated from Eagle Bend High School in 1970. Following high school, he earned a 2-year degree in Agricultural Production at the Alexandria Vocational Technical Institute. Rod loved being a farmer and spent his entire life on the family farm. He started his Future Farmer of America (FFA) farming program with a single Holstein dairy heifer. He gradually increased his operation and, in 1972, purchased 1/3rd interest in the Piepho Dairy operation, including 320 acres of cropland and 59 cows as well as young stock. The cropping enterprise consisted of corn, corn silage, alfalfa hay, haylage and oats. Rod was always very active in his career and community. In high school, he served as FFA chapter treasurer, earnings and savings committee chairman and delegate to district, state and national conventions, receiving a Silver District Achievement award in 1968 and FFA Member of the Month award in 1969. After high school he continued his work with FFA, receiving the coveted American Farmer Degree of the FFA at the national convention in Kansas City, MO in 1973. He was a Farmers Union board member of Central Ag, served on the Eagle Bend Produce board and was a council member at Faith United Church of Christ. Rod was united in marriage with Twyla Elaine Lennes on November 25, 1972 at the Faith Lutheran Church in Eagle Bend. They became sole-owners of the Piepho Dairy Farm, purchasing it from his parents, Clarence and Alice, in 1977. Following four knee surgeries, Rod converted his dairy operation to crop farming in 2001. Twyla had started Sisty’s Greenhouse business in 1999 and Rod quickly channeled some of his farming energy to help her with her booming and demanding greenhouse business. He equipped the greenhouses with wood heating and irrigation systems. Rod and Twyla loved spending time outdoors together operating the farm and Sisty’s Greenhouse. They enjoyed both water and snow skiing, fishing, camping and deer hunting. Rod’s three children and eleven grandchildren were the highlights of his life. He loved being with his children and spent hours playing games and being active with them; whether it was summer or winter, there was always a snowmobile or boat to enjoy tubing or skiing. In his children’s adult life, his involvement continued. Rod enjoyed being part of the Piepho Tree Service with his son, Kevin and purchasing and managing an apartment complex in Staples with his son, Chad. He enjoyed spending time with daughter, Bobbie Jo and helping out whenever he could with her activities. When the grandchildren came along, Rod was elated. He loved taking care of them, even as babies. As they grew, he would build bigger snow forts, pull them a little faster while sledding and take them to the hunting land by ATV. He would drive into Alexandria or Brainerd to watch their sporting events or music performances; he was always there. He treasured those moments and every Christmas present had to be just right–the details were important–including being popcorn maker extraordinaire. In February 2010, Rod was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Determined and courageous in his fight, he sought medical treatment at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, Cancer Centers of America, Zion, IL, Johns Hopkins, Maryland, MD, and Douglas County Hospital, Alexandria, MN. Rod was eligible for many FDA-approved treatments and although many of the treatments slowed the prostate cancer progression, they were not successful in curing it. 2011 brought great sadness as Twyla unexpectedly passed away and after 38 years of marriage, Rod found himself without his best friend. Many changes needed to be made. The greenhouse business was sold while Rod continued his crop farming. As time went along, Rod became re-acquainted with a high school friend, Linda (Pearson) Peterson. During the last three years, Rod and Linda were steady companions, traveling and visiting with friends and family whenever time and Rod’s health permitted. Linda took incredible care of Rod during his illness, going with him to every doctors’ appointment and loving and encouraging him on a daily basis. Rod was preceded in death by his loving wife Twyla on January 12, 2011; father Clarence on December 7, 2006; and grandparents John & Mary Piepho and Orien & Lillie Terry. He is survived by special friend and partner Linda Peterson of Eagle Bend; mother Alice of Eagle Bend; daughter Bobbie Jo (Sheldon) Pahl of Alexandria; sons Kevin (Yvonne) of Alexandria and Chad (Angie Kolas) of Brainerd; grandchildren Dylan Piepho, Derrek Piepho, Calen Piepho, Josette Opsal and Dawson Piepho; step-grandchildren Kaylee Pahl, Riley Pahl, Courtney Kolas, Madyson Kolas, Alyssa Kolas and Tyler Kolas; brothers Kenneth (Patricia) of Coon Rapids, Daniel (Debra) of Minneapolis, and Ricky (Valerie Bren) of Mound; sister Connie (Stephen Bren) Piepho of Orono; as well as many nieces and nephews. Rod’s request, for those he leaves behind, is to be kind and patient with your loved one. Focus on their strengths, not the negative. Don’t sweat the small stuff and again, most of it is small stuff. It saddened him to hear friends and family members bicker over seemingly insignificant things, while he and many others fought to spend one more day with those they loved. He knew life was precious and wished for all of us, that we live life as if we were dying.

Rodney Piepho

August 4, 1952 - September 20, 2014