Rodney Norman

Rodney Duane Norman, age 67, of Van Wert, Iowa, the son of Mickey Louis and Delores Faye (Shuey) Norman, was born February 27, 1954, in Oakland, California. He died at the Decatur County Hospital in Leon, Iowa on Saturday, November 27, 2021.

Rod grew up and attended school through the eighth grade in Decatur, Iowa. He completed his formal education at Central Decatur High School in Leon, where he enjoyed wrestling and FFA. He graduated with the Class of 1972. He helped his dad on the farm before starting a long-term job with Saxton Construction. Then he worked for Martin Marietta for 15+ years. For the past 15 years he was employed by Decatur County where he worked on the bridge crew for a few years before operating a road maintainer. He was going to retire after the first of next year because he and his brother-in-law, Dan, had plans. He was also looking forward to Tara and Logan’s wedding in June of 2022.

Rod was married to Sheila Evans and blessed with two sons, David and Matthew. In April of 1994, he was married to Donna Marie Cook in Leon, Iowa. They made their home in Van Wert and were blessed with daughter, Tara. In his free time, Rod loved being outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, boating, kayaking, farming, putting up hay, and attending tractor pulls with his daughter. He also loved participating in lawn tractor pulls, tinkering in the garage, playing cards, and following CD basketball. He served on the Van Wert Volunteer Fire Department and helped his wife on the Decatur County Fair Board.

Preceding him in death were his Norman and Shuey grandparents; parents-in-law, Dick and Marilyn Cook; great niece, Maddy Cook; and great nephew, Rylon Cook. Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Donna Norman of Van Wert, Iowa; sons, David Norman of Polk City, Iowa & Sarah Norman of Elkhart, Iowa and Matt Norman and companion, Lani Moeller of Grimes, Iowa; daughter, Tara Norman of Van Wert and fiancé, Logan Pankey; five grandchildren, Grace, James, Opal, and Leo Norman and Milo McAtee; parents, Mickey and Delores Norman of Decatur; sisters, Karen Schuldt and husband, Rod of Van Wert and Gayla Norman of Decatur; Donna’s siblings and their spouses, Dick, Jr. and Shirley Cook, Dan & Carol Cook, Doug Cook, Diane & Dean Allen, and Debbie & Jim Whistler, all of Van Wert, and Doris and Gary Loy of Murray, Iowa; and nephews, Shad Cook and wife, Lesley and Todd Cook, who were very special to both Rod and Donna throughout their lives. There are also many other nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews on both sides of the family and other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa at 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 1, 2021, with Pastor Ron Helton officiating. Burial will be in the Van Wert Cemetery, Van Wert, Iowa.