Gary Lee Rodlin, 70, of Devils Lake, ND, went to his heavenly home on Thursday, May 28, 2026, in Devils Lake. A graveside service will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Devils Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team-Navy.
He was born 12/6/1955 in Denver, Colorado to Leland and Eldoris Rodlin. In first grade he and his family moved to Binford, ND. Shortly after that, they landed in Devils Lake, where Gary would spend most of his life, working and raising his daughters and grandson.
At just 17 he enlisted in the Navy where he boarded a repair ship called the USS Ajax. He was able to travel, learn, and see a lot as a young man. He also lived in Arizona, California, and Oregon for short times but found home in North Dakota.
Gary worked many years at Target Roofing where he made lifelong friends and memories. After roofing began to take its toll, he found his true passion in farming and worked for Studness Farms for 20-plus years. He loved the “seas of Amber” and watching the crops from beginning to end. Even after retirement, he would drive around to look at crops or watch farmers on YouTube. Through and through, his heart was that of a farmer.
Gary had two daughters, Tasha and Sarah, who he loved and adored. He would change his world and anyone else’s for his girls. Then he got his one and only grandson, Ashton Lee. He was so proud to have a boy that carried his middle and last name. Secretly, he may have liked seeing someone have the upper hand in a family of women finally! He was a simple, humble and gentle man who rarely, if ever, raised his voice. He was generous to people, giving the last he had or even more than he could afford to give. He led and helped without judgment. Even if he was upset, he always made sure to think about how people felt. He hated to see people hurt or to feel ashamed or sad. He always had a witty joke or comeback and was famous for his dad jokes!! He loved his old rock n roll music, saying if the world started listening to this music again, we would maybe be ok! Gary was an intelligent man with his knowledge spanning many different subjects. Something he always bonded with his daughters over was pointing out different constellations and facts about the earth, stars, and moon. Him and his youngest daughter went aurora chasing down the dirt roads every chance they got! He was the type of man who did what he said he would do; and if you called, he was on his way.
Gary is survived by his daughter, Sarah Jean Rodlin, grandson, Ashton Lee Rodlin, brother, Allan Rodlin, sisters Janice (Dewey) Henschel and Judy Vigil as well as his nieces Crystal, Jennifer, Heather, and Emily and his nephew Josh as well as many great nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, friends, and the people he chose as family.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Tasha Nicole Rodlin, parents Leland Rodlin and Eldoris (Edward) Dosch, mother of his children Shirley “Chicken” Herman and many cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.
Gary will be deeply missed. As he always said, just keep going and somehow things will be ok.
See ya later, gator. ❤️��
Rest in eternal peace with our loved ones
Online guestbook is available at www.dunnigandix.com
Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home of Cando, ND is in charge of arrangements.
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