Rodney Ray Bleeker

Rodney Ray Bleeker, age 79, of Little Falls, formerly of Swanville, MN, passed away peacefully at his home on March 12, 2015. A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville with Pastor Kevin Zellers presiding. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service. A private burial will be conducted at a later date.
Rodney Ray Bleeker was born December 14, 1935 in Ackley, IA; the only child of Kenneth and Alice (Janssen) Bleeker. He graduated from Clarion High School in 1954. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1955. While stationed in the Navy, Rodney played in the Navy Band at each base he was stationed at. He then moved to Denver, CO where he met and married Valerie Drews on December 23, 1962. The couple then moved to Minneapolis in 1965, and also lived in Florida, Oklahoma eventually back to Minnesota, settling in Swanville, MN. The couple lived in Swanville, MN until moving to Little Falls, MN in 2013.
Rodney was a member of many bowling leagues and many bands over the years including, jazz, country club bands and local club bands. He enjoyed hobbies such as, wood working, 2000 piece puzzles and watching Vikings, Gophers and Twins games. He farmed and worked at Maciej Construction until 1999. In 2013, he retired from Culdrum Township after 30 years of service as Patrol Operator and Township Supervisor. He was also a member of Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville, MN.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Valerie; children, Gregg (Brenda) of Pierz, MN, Vanessa (Paul) Tykwinski of Little Falls, MN; grandchildren, Adam, Ian, Taylor, Chandler and Lexie Bleeker, Nicole and Jett Schaffer; great grandchild, Aubree Schaffer and Mother-in-law, Hilda Drews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Alice (Janssen) Bleeker and father-in-law Richard Drews. Rodney’s grandchildren will be serving as his honorary pallbearers.