Rodney Selfors

Rodney Dietrich Selfors was born on November 28, 1931 in Minot, ND to Nels and Signy (Berg) Selfors. He was brought into God’s Kingdom through baptism on July 1, 1932 and confirmed his faith in Jesus Christ on May 20, 1945 at Zion Lutheran Church in Minot, ND. He was raised and educated in Minot, after which he enlisted in the US Army on August 19, 1952. After training in Field Radio Repair at The Signal School in Fort Monmouth, NJ, he served in The Signal Corp as a communications relay technician in Austria.

Following his honorable discharge from the Army on July 26, 1954, Rod returned to Minot where he met the love of his life, Delores Walker, on August 27, 1954. They were married on June 17, 1956 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minot. They resided in Minot where they raised their 3 children. Rod began working for the Great Northern Railroad in 1954, retiring as a track section foreman for the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1993. He and Delores enjoyed many “adventures,” Bethany Lutheran bus trips and coffee times with friends and family during their 25 years of retired life together, until Delores’ death in 2019.

Along with being very mechanically skilled, Rod enjoyed hunting with his son David, family camping, reading western novels, as well as collecting, buying and selling guns, railroad memorabilia, and other antique items. Many knew him as a quite an expert when it came to his knowledge of guns.

Rodney and Delores were square dancers for many years performing in many towns in the area. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees and the American Legion in Minot. He and Delores were lifelong members of Bethany Lutheran Church, representing Bethany Lutheran by volunteering at the church booth at the State Fair and the Norsk Høstfest in Minot.

Rod enjoyed spending time with his family, especially enjoying his grandchildren and great-grandchildren whenever the opportunities arose. He enjoyed holiday celebrations with family, family reunions, and visits with all his nieces and nephews whenever possible. Jabez, Chica and Luna were his favorite furry buddies. He will be missed by many, both family and friends.

Rod is survived by his 3 children: Ronda (David) Suelzle of Fargo, ND; Barbara Selfors of West Allis, WI; and David Selfors of Minot, ND; 3 grandchildren: Michael (Beth) Suelzle of Fargo, ND; Daniel (Mary) Suelzle of Jonesboro, AR; and Christopher Selfors of West Allis, WI; 7 great-grandchildren: Joshua, Eliora, Sophia, Norah, Ephraim, Miriam and Adelaide Suelzle; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers: Frank, Lloyd, Victor, Duane, Theodore and Darroll; and sisters: Loraine Alfstad, Betty Barrett, Sigrid Schmidt, Ruth Serio, Marjorie Lakoduk, and Patricia Fimreite; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family expresses deep gratitude for the HIA Hospice care Rodney received at home from the phenomenal staff of nurses and CNAs.

A Celebration of Rodney’s Life will take place on December 30, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.

A visitation will take place an hour before the service.

Burial will be held at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Memories and condolences may be shared on the Thomas Family Funeral Home website: www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Published by The Minot Daily News, December 20, 2025.