Rodney Edward Pettis

Rodney Edward Pettis, 84, of Great Falls, passed away February 27, 2021, after a courageous battle with cancer. Rod was born in Williston, North Dakota on March 28, 1936, to Edward Elwood Pettis and Regina Evelyn (Kindle) Baker. He enlisted in the Air Force on April 8, 1953. He served honorably in Korea and Japan, receiving National Defense Service and Good Conduct Medals.He completed his service in the 9th Air Police Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho on April 7, 1957. Rod moved to Great Falls in 1959 working as a clerk for the Great Northern Railroad. He retired from the railroad after 39 years of employment on March 1, 1998. Rod married Donna Lee Beck on September 17, 1963, in Fairfield. They had two sons, Steven Allen in 1964 and Mark Elwood in 1968. They shared over 57 years of marriage. Rod loved playing softball, bowling, hunting, camping, and fishing at Willow Reservoir. He enjoyed watching nearly all sporting events, including the Great Falls Giants and Dodgers, NASCAR, the Seattle Mariners, and the Minnesota Vikings. He also enjoyed watching old westerns, murder mysteries, and Mountain Men. Rod was a long-time member of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion. Rod was asked recently what was most important in his life. He responded, “family.” He dearly loved his wife, his 7 sisters, his 2 sons, his 14 grandchildren, and his 38 great-grandchildren.He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, and all those whose life he touched with his kindness and generosity. Rod is survived by his wife, Donna; sons, Steven (Shannon) Pettis and Mark (Maureen) Pettis; sisters, Beverly Harris, Joyce Bartels, Dawn Goulet, and Delores (Dave) Brown; sisters-in-law, Bonnie (Roger) Hadley and Karen Beck; brother-in-law, Russ Love; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Matthew (Lesley) Pettis and Abigayle, Samuel, Juliet, and Joshua; Randi (Loren) Dilworth and Maleah, Elijah, Bridger, and Wyatt; Kelsey (Dan) Harland and Logan, Landon, and Quincy; Danielle (Erik) Hill and Isaac, Emma, Lucy, and Lincoln; Meghan (Zach) Mathes and Finlii and Colt; Krystal (Ryan) Lloyd and Clayton and Amy; Amanda Skinner and Jazmyn, Kaidyn, and Brady; Kasandra Pettis; Jena (Jeremy) Harris and Hadley, Zander, and Serenity; Kylar Dolson; Krystal (Zac) Younger and Tatum and Lucca; Matthew Schur and Kimberly, Kaleb, Emiree, and Jaycee; Faith (Huey) Hearty and Huey, Jaxen, Journey, and Tru; Andrew (Tish) Schur and Siya, Isaac, and Brooklyn; and numerous nieces and nephews. Rod was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Leonard and Margaret (Stevenson) Beck; sisters and brothers-in-law, Alice Mae (Elmer) Thompson, Ralph Senti, Harry Harris, Clark Bartels, Doris Hanson, Roddy Goulet, and Sandy Egge; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Leonard Beck, Norm Beck, Sharon (Bill) King, and Gail Love; and many friends and co-workers. Pallbearers are Andrew Schur, Matthew Pettis, Zach Mathes, Dan Harland, Samuel Pettis, and Elijah Dilworth. Honorary pallbearers are Loren Dilworth, Erik Hill, Ryan Lloyd, Jeremy Harris, Matthew Schur, Zach Younger, Huey Hearty, Harry Harris, Roger Hadley, Norm Beck, Darrel Sand, and Calvin Sand. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Benefis Peace Hospice (Benefis Foundation), 2600 15th Avenue South, Great Falls.The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Peace Hospice House, Sletten Cancer Center, Benefis Hospital, and especially Dr. Bryan Martin. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, March 5, 2021, at the O’Connor Funeral Home, 2425 8th Avenue North, with a viewing Thursday night from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A graveside service will be at Highland Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Amigo Lounge, 1200 7th Street South (please park on north side and use basement entrance).