Rodney Scott Rantala, 61

Rodney Scott Rantala, 61, passed away over this past Father’s Day weekend. He was born July 9, 1959, in Ashland, Wisc., to Marvin And Dorothy (Tutor) Rantala. He became their sixth child out of nine total.

The family moved from Wisconsin to North Dakota and then various towns in Montana during his childhood. In 1968, they finally settled in Libby in 1968, where he graduated from high school in 1977.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1979. He left the service honorably after four years as a motor transport Marine and began his next career path as a laborer. He worked as a roofer then as a factory worker and, finally, as a long haul driver before his passing.

During his working years, he lived in Libby, Yucaipa, Calif., Jerome, Idaho, and, finally, in Twin Falls, Idaho.

He married Kelly Hanley in 1984 and out of that union Rodney became a father to his only child, Sean Rantala, born in 1986. After his marriage ended he remained unmarried, but enjoyed life by raising Sean. He shared his personal life with two other women, Joyce Carpenter Grady and then Gayle Bell.

He is preceded in death by his father, Marvin Rantala Sr. and both sets of grandparents.

He is survived by his son, Sean; his mother, Dorothy (Tutor Rantala) Bales; and eight siblings, Marvin Jr., David (Shaleen), Gary (Grace), Yvonne Little (Bruce), Dorothy Clark (John), Cecilia Hurt (Devon), William (Carol) and Gregory; 18 nieces and nephews; 27 great nieces and nephews; four great nieces and nephews; and many cousins, aunts and uncles.

Rodney had a unique character and humor about him. He had the biggest heart to those he knew and loved. If you met Rodney you were unlikely to forget him. His big, resounding voice carried jokes, laughter and political views through the air. His family will surely miss him.

We all love you dearly, Sparky.

He was cremated in Twin Falls, Idaho. The family will have a private gathering at a later date to commemorate his life.