Rodney Arland Hjelle
He was born Nov. 25, 1926, to Elmer and Inez (Tangness) Hjelle. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethesda Lutheran Church.
In 1952 Rodney answered an ad in the Minneapolis Tribune for overseas work. On Aug. 8, 1952, he arrived in Saudi Arabia to start work for the Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco).
In August 1953 he returned to Minnesota to be married to Mary Hawkinson of Kensington. Their first son, Mark, was born in June 1954. In the spring of 1955 Mary and Mark joined Rodney in Saudi Arabia. Their second son, Neil, was born in October 1956 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The family lived in Arabia until their return to Barrett in 1970. Rodney was self-employed until 1978 when they returned to Saudi Arabia. He retired from Aramco in 1984. Since then Rodney and Mary lived in Barrett. Rodney enjoyed sailing and flying. The spirit which led him to attempt his first barrel roll while flying (at age 78) will be missed by family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, of Barrett; sons, Mark (Joyce) of Fergus Falls, and Neil (Patti), of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; grandchildren: Erik (Angel) of West Fargo, Kara of Minneapolis, Ross of Fergus Falls, Lucas of Fridley, and Elisa of Barrett; and brother, Donald, of Jamestown, Tenn.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Inez Hjelle; brother, Gornell; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Hjelle and Margaret Hjelle; and nephew, Lee Hjelle.
Arrangements were with the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Elbow Lake.