Rodney Muilenburg

Rodney Lee Muilenburg was born on February 25, 1953, to Cornelius and LaRue (Hayes) Muilenburg in Hartley, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed into the Methodist faith. He attended Primghar High School and graduated from there in 1971. After his education he worked at a meat packing plant in Cherokee, Iowa for three years.  In the mid-seventies, Rod moved to Minnesota and was later married to his first wife. Though that marriage was brief, to this union three children were born: Javin, Sara, and Timothy. Rodney would later meet the love of his life and was united in marriage to Rona Lunderville on October 4, 2010, in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Rodney’s work took him to various parts of the Midwest over the years before settling in Milbank, South Dakota. He worked in the dairy industry for 49 years, primarily for AMPI, before retiring in January 2023. Before his health declined, he loved spending time outdoors, hunting and fishing. He enjoyed cooking and grilling in the summertime. Above all he loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Left to cherish Rodney’s life is his wife, Rona Muilenburg of Milbank, SD; six children: Nikki (John) Niesen of Clinton, MN; Brandy Haukos of Morris, MN; Sara (Kevin Johnson) Muilenburg of Milbank, SD; Tim (Jessi) Muilenburg of Aberdeen, SD; Shawn (Angie) Jordan of Middletown, PA; Samantha Ebnet of Clinton, MN; two sisters: Jerilyn Camp of Tuscan, AZ; and Jill McPherson of Grimes, IA; brother-in-law Robert VanderPol of Sioux Falls, SD; four sisters-in-law: Marge Liebe of Milbank, SD; Karen (Steve) Vauderey of Milbank, SD; Phyllis (Lyle) Schultz of Milbank, SD; and Nyla (Greg) Daggett of Fairfield, CA; 20 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his parents: Cornelius and LaRue (Hayes) Muilenburg; son Javin Muilenburg; sister Kay VanderPol; niece, Michelle (Shelly) Ahrens; five brothers-in-law: Bill Lunderville, Chuck Lunderville, Duane Liebe, Norvin Beachem, Dennis Mattson, sisters-in-law: Shirley Beachem, Mary Johnson, and Sandra Mattson.