Walter Charles Rodlund

Walter Charles Rodlund, 82, of Fargo, ND, was born September 23, 1935 to Walter and Cecelia (Bohnenkamp) Rodlund in Milnor, ND. He graduated from Milnor High School and attended Wahpeton State School of Science attaining a degree in Heating and Air Conditioning.

He kept very busy while growing up and attending school. He worked for the Locker Plants in both Bottineau and Milnor and worked for the Soo Line Railroad in Enderlin.

While enrolled at Wahpeton he met Janice Schimming and they joined in marriage on May 29, 1956 in Enderlin, ND making their home in Bottineau, ND. They started their “brood” with Vickie, born a day after they married – a year later; a story heard many times. Greg followed in 1959 and Steven in 1960. They relocated to Fargo, ND in 1961 and Walt joined Rigel’s Appliance. Kim arrived in 1963 and Cindy was their last creation filling the house in 1968. After a short time with Alaskan Air, Walt decided it was time for a new chapter in his life. He started Walt’s Refrigeration in 1975. Janice was his bookkeeper and Greg and Steven both worked with him for some time. He made many friends while in the business. Walt closed the business is 1992 and joined Home Heating and Air Conditioning until health forced his retirement in 2004.
After retirement Walt enjoyed tinkering on anything that needed fixing, helping his children and grandchildren with “what do I dos”, and spending time at the lake; seems he could fix just about anything – or give it a try.

Walt and Janice celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary in 2016 with a GRAND CELEBRATION with family and friends. In their 63 plus years together they enjoyed dancing, bowling, trips to the casino, time with family and friends, time spent at the lake – from the conversion bus, tearing down a barn, to building a cabin from the wood, to buying a travel trailer. His grandchildren and great grandchildren were his pride and joy. His face always beamed when they walked in and said “Hi Grandpa” or “Hey Gramps”. If they had activities for school or sports, he loved to go watch and cheer.

Walt was always an adventurer. He had his pilot license, concealed carry license, cross-bow license, and always applying to hunt and fish with his boys. From the big northern and walleye he mounted years ago to the turkey he got a couple years ago hunting with Greg. They both got one the same day. Many of those stories will be passed on for years to come.
After losing the love of his life, Janice, March 12, 2017, Walt’s heart was broken. He did his best to keep his chin up. In the fall of 2017 he got to take the trip of a lifetime with his nephew Art Hagen, leaving in the motorhome and driving to Arizona with stops in New Orleans and the Alamo to name a few highlights.

He was able to stay in the house with the help of his son Steven as his caregiver. Without Steven he would have been forced to not “be at home”. The last month was a challenge with more time in than out of the hospital. God came and wrapped His arms around Walt on February 19th, carrying him to the GRANDEST CELEBRATION of all in heaven. We can only imagine the party that greeted him – family and friends.

Walt is survived and will be greatly missed by his loving children, Vickie (Gene) Schmidt, Lake Park, MN, Greg (Sandie) Rodlund, Durbin, ND, Steven Rodlund, Fargo, ND, Kim Mohr, Rapid City, SD, Cindy (Steve) Murdock, Fargo, ND; 12 grandchildren and 9 great- grandchildren with the 10th arriving in May; sister-in-law, Karen Redmond, Enderlin, ND; brother-in-law, Myron “Hank” (Carolyn) Schimming, El Sobrante, CA; brother-in-law, Jerry Johnson, West Fargo, ND and multiple nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Janice; his father, mother, sisters, MaryAnn Hagen, Mabel Martin, Betty Berg, Francis Sattler and Opal Rodlund; grandson, Brandon Rodlund; father-in-law, Edward Schimming; mother-in-law, Elva Brehm; step-father-in-law, Melvin (Bud) Brehm; sister-in-law, Eunice Johnson; brother-in-law, Darrell Redmond and son-in-law, Dean “Willy” Willows.

Thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at Sanford Health for the amazing care our father was given in his last few days on this earth. Soar with the Angels Dad – we love and miss you!