Rodney Schlafmann, 61, of Turtle Lake, ND, passed away September 16, 2014 at a Bismarck hospital from complications of a stroke that occurred on September 10, 2014.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Friday, Sept. 19th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Turtle Lake with Pastors Sondra Krogstad and Randy Emgarten officiating. Interment will follow in the Turtle Lake Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church followed by a 7:00 PM Prayer Service.

Rodney Lee Schlafmann was a Dr. Kuplis baby, born on June 17, 1953 at the Turtle Lake Hospital to Albert & Ruth (Kapanke) Schlafmann. Rodney attended school in Turtle Lake where he graduated from high school in 1972. He married Linda Sondrol on January 24, 1975 at the Chapel of Flowers on the family farm which his grandfather started in 1919. They lived in Mandan where he worked construction for William Clairmont for several years. In 1978, he and Linda moved to the family farm outside of Turtle Lake. Rodney farmed and also went to work at the Falkirk Coal Mine in 1979 where he operated a scraper until his retirement in May 2009. Following his retirement, he continued farming with his sons. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, running his metal detector, reading, motorcycles, and car racing. Rodney loved children and was often considered as a "bonus grandpa". As Kloey said, he was "the best grandpa in the world". He also enjoyed teasing and joking with his many nieces & nephews. Rodney was a dog lover and enjoyed the companionship of his dog "Chompers".


He is survived by his wife, Linda Schlafmann of Turtle Lake; three sons, Barry (Whitney) Schlafmann of Turtle Lake, Nolan (friend Nikki Arndt and daughter Kloey) of Mandan, & Cole Schlafmann of Turtle Lake; two sisters, Beaverly Walcker of Underwood, & Dianne (Eugene) Bossert of Park River, ND; three brothers, Dennis (Verdeen) Schlafmann of Wing, ND, Leon (Lori) Schlafmann of Hawley, MN, & Burnette Schlafmann of Turtle Lake; his father-in-law, Don Sondrol of Turtle Lake; sister-in-law, Patrice (Mike) Leddy of Albuquerque, NM; two brothers-in-law, Robert Sondrol and Kevin (Lana) Sondrol of Turtle Lake; and many nieces & nephews.

Rodney was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law (Norma Sondrol), one half-brother (James Rorvig), one brother-in-law (M. "Lefty" Walcker), one nephew (Cameron Schlafmann).

In his death, Rodney provided a gift to others in donating his tissues and eyes so others may continue to live and read (his favorite pastime).