Rodney Gene Postma

Doon, IA: Rodney Gene Postma, 73, of Doon, Iowa, died Sunday, May 21, 2023, at the Select Specialty Hospital – South Dakota in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A funeral service will be held Thursday, May 25, at 10:00 AM at Doon United Reformed Church with Rev. John Vermeer officiating. Burial, with military rites, will follow at Hillside Cemetery of Doon. Visitation, with the family present, will be held Wednesday, May 24, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Doon URC.

   Memorials may be given to the Doon Fire Department or the Doon American Legion Rock River Post 476. Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley is assisting the family with arrangements.

   Rodney Gene Postma, son of Gilbert “Gib” and Marie (DeBruin) Postma, was born April 26, 1950, at Le Mars, Iowa. Rod was the oldest of 8 Postma children and grew up in Doon, Iowa. He graduated from Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids, Iowa. Following high school Rod proudly served in the United States Navy from 1969-1972. On September 3, 1971, Rod was united in marriage with Joella Mulder in Doon. The couple lived in California for a brief period until Rod was honorably discharged from the US Navy and the couple returned home to Doon where they raised their 3 children, Heath, Scott, and Tami. Rod worked at various places until finding his niche as a welder for Northwest Manufacturing for nearly 40 years, half of which were spent as co-owner with Danny Van Beek.

  Rod was a proud active member within the community of Doon. He served as a member of the Doon Fire Department for 32 years, 21 as an Assistant Fire Chief and 8 years as Fire Chief. He also belonged to the Doon American Legion Rock River Post 476 and the Doon United Reformed Church. In his younger years you could find Rod on the softball field, riding horses in the Big Horns or at the local happy hour. Rod also enjoyed construction in his free time on his own home and his loved ones homes. After Rod’s softball playing days were finished, he switched focus to his kids and grandkids. Rod could always be picked out in the crowd as the loudest and the umpires or refs least favorite fan. Rod tried his hand in boating by buying “Colby’s Boat” but was always a cowboy at heart. Rod was a one-of-a-kind man who had many other talents such as drawing horses in his free time when he out riding around looking at nature and different projects going on in the area. His energetic spirit will be missed at all the places he loved most, but his stories will continue on.

   Rod is survived by his wife of 51 years, Joella; 3 children, Heath (Jacki) Postma and their children, Chloe and Kinzi of Champlin, Minnesota, Scott (Jill) Postma and their children Colby and Keanna of Doon, and Tamara (Jeff) Lyon and their children Lacey and Ella of Burke, South Dakota; 7 siblings, Janice Den Besten of Rock Rapids, Doug (LaVonne) Postma of Rock Valley, Glenn (Rhonda) Postma of Doon, Dwayne (Sharon) Postma of Rock Rapids, Bud (Kelly) Postma of Madison, South Dakota, and Mike Postma of Huron, South Dakota; sister-in-law, Lorna Postma of Hull; and several nieces and nephews.

   He was preceded in death by his parents, Gib and Marie Postma; brother, Donald Postma; parents-in-law, John and Coba Mulder; and sister-in-law, Rose (Harry) Der Nederlanden.