Valentine, Rodney Francis - 1922-2012

ELLIOTT, FAGAN, SUGRUE, VALENTINE

Posted By: Polk volunteer
Date: 8/8/2024 at 14:37:53

Rodney Frances Valentine, 89, passed peacefully, surrounded by family, Monday, November 5, 2012, following a long battle with pulmonary disease.
Rod was born on December 5, 1922 in Rollingstone, MN, in Winona County, where he was raised and graduated from Winona High school. He then briefly attended St. Mary's College before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1943 to begin flight training school. Two years later as World War II was ending, Rod completed his air naval training and was commissioned to ensign. He went on to attend Marquette University and later entered Dental School at St. Louis University. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1952 and returned to the US Navy to serve in the Dental Corps for over two years, attaining the rank of Lieutenant JG.
During this time, Rod met and married Marguerite (Pat) Fagan from Chicago. Following his military service, they settled in Des Moines, Iowa. Rod developed a very successful dental practice and he and Pat Raised a family of five. Rod was a lifetime member of both The American and Iowa Dental Associations. Rod and Pat were active members of St. Augustin's Catholic Parish where Rod served on the school board. Rod was an avid sports fan and particularily loved following Dowling Catholic sports as well as an avid reader. However, by far, the biggest interests of Rod's life was his wife, children, and grandchildren. Rod and Pat lived in the Des Moines area for 44 years before retiring to Huntley, Illinois and more recently moved to Chicago to be closer to family.
Rod is survived by his beloved wife of over 59 years, Pat (Margurite)Valentine, daughters Aileen (Richard) Elliott and Beth (Denis) Sugrue of Chicago, Meg Valentine of Denver, Colorado and sons Stephen (Mary) Valentine of Kansas City, and Thomas (Genelle) Valentine of Des Moines.
A visitation will be held at St. Juliana's Catholic Church (7201 N Oketo Ave., Chicago) at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 10, followed by funeral services at 11:30 a.m.
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Sunday, November 11, 2012, page 7B