Randy “Rocky” Aanenson, 69, of Garretson, South Dakota, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House, after a courageous fight with cancer.
Funeral services will begin at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, at Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, with a prayer service at 5 p.m., at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Garretson Fire Department, Garretson Food Pantry, Garretson American Legion, or the Dougherty Hospice House.
Randall Orville Aanenson, or Rocky as he was known to his many friends, was born on July 1, 1952, to Orville and Rose Mary (Cowell) Aanenson in Luverne, Minnesota. Randy grew up on a farm near Hardwick, Minnesota. He attended elementary school in Hardwick and high school in Luverne, where he graduated in 1970. After graduation, Rocky enlisted in the Army National Guard and went to basic training at Fort Ord in California. Upon completion of basic training, Rocky returned to Luverne where he worked at A.R. Wood Manufacturing.
Randy spent a lot of his free time in Garretson, where he met his best friend and love of his life, Donna Hove. Randy and Donna were married on Sept. 28, 1974, at Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson. After a brief stay in Luverne, Randy and Donna moved to Garretson where they made their home and raised their three children.
In 1978 Randy began working for John Deere in Garretson and continued to work there until his retirement in 2018. He saw many changes in his 40 years with John Deere and met so many great friends. His love for John Deere tractors showed through his many “toys” he bought and displayed in his home.
Rocky was in the Army National Guard for 22 years. He began his service in Luverne, and later transferred to the 1742nd transportation unit in Flandreau, South Dakota, until he retired in March of 1992. Rocky had a lot of great memories from his time spent in Guard. Some of his most memorable were his trips to London, Korea, and Germany.
In November of 1990, Rocky was called up for active duty to serve his country in Operation Desert Storm. He returned with his unit in May of 1991 to a large parade and community celebration. Rocky made many friends through the Guard and helped mentor a lot of friends along the way. This past summer he was reunited with the 1742nd unit he served with in Desert Storm for their 30-year reunion. Rocky had several stories to tell from his years in the Guard.
Rocky was very involved in the Garretson community. He served on the city council and was an active member at Zion Lutheran Church. In 1978, Rocky joined the Garretson Fire Department where he missed very few calls, was treasurer for many years, and enjoyed training and mentoring new firemen. Rocky retired from the fire department after 30 years. Following retirement, he continued to support the Garretson Firefighters and made many new friends!
Through the years, Rocky was an active member of the Garretson American Legion, holding every office in the chapter at some point.
Randy and Donna enjoyed traveling with friends and family. Some of their most memorable trips were an Alaskan cruise, Las Vegas, Montana, Kansas City Chiefs football games, and driving through the western United States visiting national parks. They also enjoyed visiting their “snowbird” friends in Arizona.
Randy was a very proud dad of his two sons and daughter. He loved cheering on his kids and later his grandkids in all their activities. There were very few events he missed. Some days he would travel and watch multiple events to see all his grandkids.
Randy was always very positive and loved people. Some would say “he had the gift to gab.” He found and made friends wherever he would go. This was evident as he battled cancer. He had so many amazing friends and family that dropped everything to help him out, came to visit and called to check in.
Randy will be lovingly remembered and missed dearly by his wife Donna; sons Scott (Danielle) Aanenson and Shelby (Kacey) Aanenson of Sioux Falls; daughter Heidi (Tony) Roos of Hardwick; eight grandkids, Megan, Autumn, Collin, Austin, Haylee, Paxtin, Emersyn and Genesis; siblings Gloria (Jim) Rolfs of Luverne, Joyce (Sam) Hansen of Hardwick, Carol (Jim) Hatting of Luverne, Alan (Dixie) Aanenson of Luverne, and Joan (Myron) Berry of Sioux Falls; his mother-in-law, Nelda Hove of Sioux Falls; brothers-in-law Kevin Hove and Kory (Lisa) Hove; his aunt Gloria Aanenson of Luverne; many nieces and nephews, cousins, and so many wonderful friends!
Randy is preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Rose Mary Aanenson, his father-in-law, Dennis Hove, brother-in-law Kent Hove, along with many dear friends and family.
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