Rodney Askin

Funeral services for Rodney Askin, 75, of Baker will be at 11:00 a. m. , Friday, November 20, 2015 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker. Burial will be in the Askin Family Cemetery. Visitation for Rodney will be from 2:00 p. m. to 8:00 p. m. , Thursday, November 19, 2015 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Baker, with Family Receiving Friends from 5:00 p. m. to 7:00 p. m. On November 13, 2015, heaven gained a true COWBOY, husband, dad, grandpa, great grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend when he lost his battle to cancer surrounded by family at the Fallon Medical Complex in Baker. He fought each battle courageously and with no complaints, his response to people greeting him with good to see you was “it is good to be seen my friend. “Rodney was born February 4, 1940 in Baker, first son born to CL and Shirley (Ruenholl) Askin. Growing up he attended Cottonwood Country School several years, where he had many fond memories. The family later moved into Ismay, where he attended school until the Ismay High School closed in 1956, he then commuted to Plevna graduating in 1958. Shortly after graduating high school he moved with his family to Baker, where he began working with his father at Askin Well Drilling beginning his career. On January 3, 1962 Rodney married Marilyn Rustad in Rapid City, SD. They were blessed with three daughters, Pam, Rhonda, and Jodi. Rodney then started his own water well repair business which he operated until this year as his health declined. The family tradition has been handed down to next generation, his grandson Taylor. He had many family members help him through the years including his wife, girls, son-in-law, and grand kids, “he often told people if you want good help you need to raise them. “Rodney had a few other ventures that he enjoyed. He and a friend, Swede Graham, purchased the local freight business that they operated for a few years before selling. He also worked for the local veterinary clinic, at the same time he had his own business of artificially inseminating cattle for area ranchers for several years. Rodney’s life passion of roping and rodeo started at a very young age, according to an article in the Ismay paper in 1955, the Ismay Rodeo will be managed by the community kids, with Rodney Askin being the chief push for this year’s rodeo. In his younger days, he enjoyed and participated in many events, with team roping becoming his sole passion. He was very proud of becoming a lifetime PRCA gold card member. Over the past years he has enjoyed lending a hand, from roping lessons, to picking out a horse, always taking great pride in having a good eye for picking horses. He has bought, trained and sold many horse to people including world champions. The Askin arena was the start to many lifetime friends and rodeo passions. Rodney and Marilyn took a trip to Arizona in 1982 to rope and their love for Arizona winters became reality when they purchased their place in 1994. They truly loved the warm winters, roping daily and friends that they have made. The Askin arena tradition continued there in the winter months with his arena becoming the neighborhood roping spot, for both beginners and friends roping. They also enjoyed many neighborhood socials, bonfires, and potlucks. In his spare time he has also built many roping chutes that you can find them in many arenas, and his special horseshoe cinch buckles, along with many horseshoe crafted items. Rodney is survived by his wife, Marilyn; daughter, Pam (Mike) Nelson and their children, Trevor (Kirstie), their son Westin; Taylor Nelson and Tori Nelson of Baker; daughter, Rhonda (Chad) Kieson and their son, Cole of Dickinson, ND; sisters, Sharon (Roy) Ferrel of Baker and Peggy (Rex) Tanner of Missoula, MT and numerous family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Jodi; sister, Shirley Barrett; and brother, Connie Askin.


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Burial Date: November 20, 2015
Church Stevenson Funeral Home

Funeral Service: Friday: Stevenson Funeral Home, Baker, MT