Obituary of Rodney "Rod" Lane

LANE RODNEY EDWARD

Rodney ‘Rod’ Lane, age 74 of Yankton, SD passed away Wednesday, February 05, 2025 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD.  Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Monday, February 10, 2025 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD with Rev. Bob Lacey officiating.  The burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, SD.  Visitations will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. 

Rodney (Rod) Edward Lane was born July 14, 1950 in Yankton, SD to Tillie E. (Hlavac) and Edward C. Lane, and passed away on February 5, 2025 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD at the age of 74. 

Rodney grew up on the family farm north of Utica, SD and attended school in Tabor, SD where he lettered in football.  The family moved to Yankton, SD when Rodney was in high school and he graduated from Yankton High School in 1968.  After graduation he attended Southern State College in Springfield, SD.  He graduated in 1970 with a degree in carpentry. 

Over the years Rodney worked for several different contractors until he started his own handyman service.  He could fix anything you asked him to.  Rodney continued to do this until his health forced him to retire in 2012. 

Rodney loved visiting with family and friends.  He loved history and was a better resource about World War II than any book.  Rodney was a sports fanatic and if you ever had a question about a team or athlete’s stats, Rodney was your guy.  To his younger cousins, Rodney was known as the gentle giant of the family.  He was always interested in the events of their lives and was their biggest fan.  He had a big heart and always ended a visit or phone call with a hug and an “I love you”.

Rodney entered Avera Yankton Care Center in Yankton, SD in 2012, and later moved to Sister James Care Center where he made many new friends as he thoroughly enjoyed getting to know people and their life stories.  His family is thankful for the staff at Sister James Care Center for the love and compassion they showed him over the years.  His life was truly blessed because of them. 

Rodney is survived by his cousins and his lifelong best friend Keith Christensen and family.  Rodney was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Tillie. 

Rodney’s family would like to express their thanks to the ICU staff at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, as well as the Avera Hospice Team for the exceptional care they provided to Rodney, and the support they provided to us.