Rodney Mullins

Rodney John Mullins (aka “Rockin Rod”) passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Sept. 24 at the age of 69.

Visitation and Celebration of Life were held on Saturday, Sept. 30, from noon to 2 p.m. with a Funeral Service at 2 p.m. all at Prairie Lakes Church in Fort Dodge. Laufersweiler Funeral Home is serving the family.

Rod was born April 19 to Ray and Velma Mullins in Albert Lea, MN. Throughout his childhood, his family moved and lived in many different states, including Minnesota, California, Oregon and Iowa. After graduating from Eagle Grove High School in 1972, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business/Accounting and minor in Computer Science from Iowa State University in 1976.

Throughout his life he worked hard and never stopped dreaming. Rod loved working in the agricultural industry with his time at the COOP in Redfield, Red Oak and Yale. When moving back to Eagle Grove in 1993, he fulfilled another dream of his by owning a farm and raising hogs. In 2002, Rod and his family moved to an acreage outside of Somers, IA where he worked for US Gypsum in Fort Dodge until his retirement. The opportunity became available for Rod to combine work and his passion for remodeling houses. He started working at Heartland Home Store (previously the Habitat for Humanity Restore).

Rod loved remodeling houses; listening to his rock music – ZZ Top, Leonard Skynard, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Seger, and the like; being active in the church; and dreaming of having a motorcycle or learning to fly. He always seemed to have words of advice or a story to share.

Although he was an only child growing up, as an adult he was surrounded by a large family. On August 24, 1974, he was united in marriage to Marcia Sturtz. In their 42+ years together, Rod and Marcia raised 9 children and cared for more than 30 foster children.
Rod was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Velma Mullins. He is survived by Marcia Mullins, Fort Dodge and their children: Tricia (Joe) Mernka, Rockwell City; Jennifer (Josh) Harrington, Dallas Center; Nicole (Jordan) Moffitt, Fort Dodge; Clint Mullins, Waverly; Eric Mullins, Cedar Falls; Christa (Brandon) Brockman and family, Humboldt; Nathan Mullins, Fort Dodge; Kayla Mullins, Saint Paul; Brittany Mullins, Fort Dodge; grandchildren: Chance and Wyatt Mernka; Alexis and Calen Harrington; Clara, Josephine, Reba and Caedmon Moffitt; William and Summer Mullins; Adrianna and Zoey Mullins.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.