Rodney Solem

Rodney Solem, 66,

Minot, formerly of Rugby,

died Monday, August 29,

2022 in his residence.

Rodney was born on

June 11, 1956 in Rugby to

Earl and Dorothy (Volk)

Solem. The family lived

in Rugby until Earl’s job,

with Red Owl grocery

stores, took them to

Jamestown, ND. He gra-

duated from Jamestown

High School 1974.

Rodney started his life-

long career in the grocery

industry in 1975. He be-

gan in the produce depart-

ment of Earl’s Red Owl of

Rugby, his father’s store.

Rodney continued with

the store for the next 11

years working his way

through many of the

departments, eventually

becoming manager of the

meat department. Not

only did he have a great

knowledge of the store he

brought much to the

aesthetics, Rodney was

known for painting and

drawing very elaborate

signs and window

displays to advertise sales

in the store. After the

close of the Red Owl Rod-

ney moved across the

street to Leever’s Grocery

Store where he would

continue his career until

his retirement. He loved

his job and managed to

work the last few years

while battling illness, it

was due to these health is-

sues Rodney moved to

Minot.

Rodney had many hob-

bies and passions

throughout his lifetime.

He was an accomplished

musician teaching himself

how to sing, play harmon-

ica, guitar, and organ.

Theatre was another

favorite pass time not

only did he enjoy attend-

ing he held an active role

in the Medora musical,

where he played a bar-

tender. This went along

with his love of reading

westerns and being a

member of SASS (single

action shooting society) a

group of six shooter,

quick draw enthusiasts. In

the group he was known

as “Lazy Eye Rod” and

when dressed in his best

cowboy attire would look

right at home on an old

west most wanted poster.

Rodney dressed up not

only for his quick draw

shoot outs, but for every

Halloween possible. He

loved getting all dressed

up and was creative at his

own costume designs.

Besides competing for

the fastest gun in the west

Rodney enjoyed shooting

in general, hunting, fish-

ing, cooking, and riding

his Harley. He was a

member of Harley ‘Hogs’

Owner group and would

ride as often as he could.

In his down time Rodney

liked watching movies,

horror and sci-fi being

among his favorites. He

was also a member of the

praise and worship team

at the Restoration Minis-

tries of Rugby where he

sang and played guitar.

Rod was such a

soft-spoken kind indivi-

dual with the biggest

heart. Rod was loved by

all who had the privilege

of knowing him and will

be missed by his family

and friends.

Rodney is survived by

his siblings, Thomas

Solem, Rugby, Bradley

Solem (Jima) Indiana, and

Diana (Terry) Garnas,

Karlsruhe; nieces and

nephews, Derek Solem,

Amber Cundiff, Kip and

Jodi Pierson, and Heather

and Aaron Garnas; Un-

cles, Clayton Gillmore,

Richard Schwab and

Richard (Lois) Volk; aunt,

Delores Isakson along

with numerous cousins.

He was preceded in

death by his parents;

grandparents; Thorney

(Mabel) Solem, Christian

(Christine) Volk,

sister-in-law, Debbie

Solem; nephew, Andrew

Solem; aunts and uncles,

Marleen Volk, Belford

‘Doc’ (Madeline) Solem,

Marilyn Gillmore, Willi-

am (Betty) Meyer, Frances

Schwab, Thelvin (Lila)

Solem, Harold (Rosie)

Solem, John Isakson.

Celebration of Life ser-

vice: Tuesday, September

6th, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. in

Thomas Family Funeral

Home, Minot.

Visitation: One hour

prior to the start of ser-

vices.

Memorials are preferred

to the charity of your

choice.

Memories and con-

dolences can be shared at

thomasfamilyfuneral

home.com