Rodney Anderson, 71, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2014 at the Brentwood Good Samaritan Village in Le Mars. A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the United Methodist Church of Le Mars. Rev. John Battern and Rev. Jason Larson will officiate. Visitation with the family present will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church.

Rodney Russell Anderson (Ronnie) was born August 6, 1942 in Worthington, Minnesota to Lloyd and Zula (Weston) Anderson. In 1955 his family moved to Sheldon, Iowa where Andy (as he was called by his friends) attended Sheldon High School and graduated in 1960. Then he attended Worthington Junior College and graduated from there in May of 1963.

On November 28, 1963 Rod married his high school sweetheart, Sheila Ver Hoef. They moved to Sioux City, Iowa where Rod completed his Business degree at Morningside College in 1967. Then the expecting couple moved to Waterloo, Iowa where Rod worked briefly for Reynolds Tobacco Company and in July they had their first child, Todd. In 1968, Rod and Sheila moved back to Sheldon where they opened “Sheila’s Boutique” that Sheila managed while Rod attended Tyler’s Beauty School in Le Mars. It was Rod’s vision that the two of them would run and manage their own salon. But upon Rod’s graduation he had the opportunity to purchase the Beauty School and with business partner Leona Russell, he started his long career as owner and instructor of Le Mars Beauty College. After making the permanent move to Le Mars in 1971, the couple had their daughter Kim. From that time forward the family made Le Mars their home.

Rodney was well known for his excellent skills in haircutting and his genuine warmhearted nature. He trained thousands of students in his forty-four years of instruction. Rod and Sheila were dedicated to their profession and their students’ success. Rod gave every student his time and attention and the clients that came to the College always felt appreciated for their business.

Rod loved traveling with Sheila and they often included friends and family in their trips. His gentlemanly nature was always evident. He continued taking Sheila on dates throughout their marriage and courted her to many musicals. The two made a family tradition of having Sunday dinner with their children and grandchildren and most of those evenings ended with dancing in the kitchen. Their home was filled with joy and they set an amazing example of a loving marriage.

He was a long time member of the United Methodist Church and a member of the Cosmetology Association and School Association. He was generous in his community and loved by many.
Rod’s family was everything to him. His children and grandchildren were his joy.

This great man will be dearly missed. He will be lovingly remembered by the love of his life, Sheila, of Le Mars; his son Todd Anderson and wife Stacie of Le Mars, his daughter Kim Hanson and husband Bob of Mooresville, North Carolina; four grandchildren, Jaz Hanson, Seth Hanson, Carter Anderson and Auden Anderson; two brothers, Chuck (Betty) Anderson of Willmar, Minnesota and Jerry (Glenda) Anderson of Prinsburg, Minnesota, a sister, Renae (Rod) Merley of Sheldon, Iowa, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Connie and Chuck Denton of Peoria, Arizona, several wonderful nieces and nephews; and many wonderful and supportive friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials will be graciously accepted for Hospice.

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