Rodney Wayne Grodahl, 74, of Twin Lakes, Iowa, formerly of Lytton, Iowa, passed away on September 28, 2026 at the Manson Good Samaritan Home following a lengthy illness.
Rodney was born on January 20, 1952 at Loring Hospital in Sac City, son of Wayne and Phyllis (Kreft) Grodahl. He attended Lytton Public Schools and graduated with the Class of 1970. He went on to attend Iowa State University. Rodney utilized the university’s quarter system, attending three quarters each year while returning home every weekend to continue farming and raising hogs with his brother, Jeff. He graduated from Iowa State University College of Agriculture in May 1975.
Rodney spent his life farming southwest of Lytton and raising hogs with his brother, Jeff, on the family farm. Starting at the young age of 15, Rodney raised purebred Chester White and Duroc hogs and acquired many champion commercial gilt ribbons over the years at the Iowa State Fair. His passion for raising hogs continued throughout his life, along with growing corn and soybeans on the family farm.
He was a dedicated member of the Sac County Fair Board, serving as the pork superintendent and an officer for many years. The organization was an important part of his life and community involvement. He always took immense pride in helping grow and improve the Sac County Fair and its grounds.
Rodney loved boating and spending time at Okoboji and Twin Lakes. He cherished time spent outdoors, on the water, and most of all with his family and friends. He also enjoyed returning to Ames many times a year to cheer on the Cyclones. He was a longtime season ticket holder for both men’s basketball and football. After a long day, you could always find him in his favorite chair with whatever sports game he could find on TV.
Rodney is survived by his wife, Jo Grodahl of Twin Lakes; children Jake Grodahl, Grant (Megan) Grodahl and their children, Carver, Camryn, and Casen all of Lytton, Jona (Cyle) King and their daughter, Audrey of MN; sister Gale Blass of Sac City; and brother Jeff Grodahl of Lytton.
He is also survived by his brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Doug (Kathy) Peterson, Bruce (Val) Peterson, and Deb (Paul) Foster; nieces and nephews: Jason (Jill) Grodahl, Kari Grodahl, Amy (Justin) Schroeder, Craig (Mary) Blass, Misty (Matt) Rastetter, Leondro (Teresa Brenner) Bohn, Michael (Casey) Bernal, Ted (Jillian) Peterson, Andy (Jessica) Peterson, Jill (Jordan) Wright, and Sandra (Jacob) Schade, along with their families.
Rodney was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Phyllis (Kreft) Grodahl; brother-in-law Brian Blass; sister-in-law Carol Grodahl; aunts and uncles: Gerald and Betty Kreft, Gene and Bonnie Grodahl, Neola Drum, Duane Drum, and Ronald Dettmann; and parents-in-law Marvin and Verna (Lundblad) Peterson.
Rodney will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his love of farming, his commitment to the Sac County Fair, and the many years he spent enjoying life at Twin Lakes and on the water. His memory will live on through his family, friends, and the community he called home.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, memorials may be directed to the Sac County Fair or the Stewart Memorial Hospital Foundation.
