Douglas E. Rodenburg, age 72, of Missouri Valley, Iowa, passed away on Friday, September 11, 2015 at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. Doug was born on June 16, 1943 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Earl and Maxine (Wolfe) Rodenburg. Doug worked as a Purchasing Agent for Union Pacific Railroad. Doug and Patty (Bertelson) were married November 25, 1967 in Missouri Valley, IA. Together, they had their daughter, Trina (Jay) Frisbie, and their son, Scott (Sonjia) Rodenburg. Although Doug worked for U.P. Railroad, he took the job as the sports writer for the Valley Times News in 1972. What was just a small hobby in the beginning turned into a passion for all things Big Reds and Lady Reds athletics. He not only wrote the sports articles for many years, but he started researching the archives of Missouri Valley sports to gather statistical records for each sport for the high school. He spent countless hours walking the lines of football games, walking the route of cross country meets, announcing and taking stats for basketball, wrestling, baseball, and softball games, keeping time in the bleachers in the coldest of track meets. He attended every home and away event that he could, sometimes being gone 5-6 nights a week. Sundays were always his writing days where he would spend the whole day on the typewriter writing articles and statistic sheets. He did this all for the student athletes. He wanted them to be recognized for their efforts. Whether the game was won or loss he could always put a positive spin on it. He was surrogate father and grandfather to many athletes, always encouraging them, listening to their problems, and comforting them when things didnt turn out the way they hoped. That is The Stat Man the Missouri Valley community knows. What many dont know is that Doug was an avid musician in his younger days. He played saxophone in Tri-Centers high school band. When he was sent to Germany during the Vietnam war he was a member of his companys band, playing in parades and shows in Germany. Doug also played guitar and had a beautiful voice. For many years in the 70s he performed in the MV Booster Clubs annual variety show. Dougs other passions included his grandchildren, Gena, Raistlin, Haylee, Alex, Hannah, Hunter, Sarah. He attended their school choral and band concerts, dance recitals, piano recitals, gymnastic meets, art shows, graduations, and of course any school athletic event. He was a proud grandpa. Doug is preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter Holly Kaye Frisbie. Doug is survived by his wife Patty Rodenburg of Missouri Valley, Iowa, daughter Trina Frisbie (Jay) of Omaha, Nebraksa, son Scott (Sonjia) Rodenburg of Soldier, Iowa, seven grandchildren: Gena (Vince) Johnson, Woodbine, Iowa, Raistlin and Alex Rodenburg, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Sarah Rodenburg, Soldier, Iowa, Haylee, Hannah, Hunter Frisbie of Omaha, Nebraska, sisters; Nancy Rodenburg, Carole George both of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Visitation will be held Monday from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Hennessey Funeral Home, Missouri Valley, Iowa. The family would like to invite everyone to a time of lunch and fellowship to the Methodist Church following the committal service at the cemetery. In Lieu of Flowers memorials may be directed to the Doug Rodenburg Scholarship Fund. In care of Patty Rodenburg E. 415 N. 7th Street Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555. In Loving Memory Of Douglas E. Rodenburg Born June 16, 1943 Council Bluffs, Iowa Entered Into Rest September 11, 2015 Omaha, Nebraska Funeral Service 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 15, 2015 Missouri Valley High School Missouri Valley, Iowa Officiating Bob Karcher Music Selections The Dance Casket Bearers Roger Kuhlman Joe Cathcart Matt Gengler Brian Knott Rod Unger Rick McHugh Kristy Kruckman Megan McHugh Final Resting Place Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery Missouri Valley, Iowa Military Honors will be conducted by Julius F. Muller American Legion Post #337 of Missouri Valley, Iowa.
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