Rodney Ninas

Rodney Leon Ninas, 81, was born in Sioux City, IA on January 19, 1937 to Leon E Ninas and LaVerne Dye Ninas. The family moved to Martin, SD within the year.

He was schooled one through eighth grades at Allen and Swett Schools in rural Bennett County. Attending Bennett County High School, he graduated with the class of 1955. While a junior in high school, he was a delegate to the national FFA convention in Kansas City, MO, and an alternate to Boys State.

Rodney attended SDSU for one year before returning to help his father on the farm.

He was inducted into the Army March 1960 with basic training in FT Ord, CA. From there he was stationed in Germany for the remainder of his service until discharged in April 1962.

He operated Rod's Standard Station in Martin until 1968 when he was in a motorcycle accident which resulted in severe injury. He returned to the farm until 1991, when he became a truck driver.

His disability from the motorcycle accident caused him to enter the SD Veterans home in Hot Springs. He resided at the home from August 2010 until his death March 20,2018.

His marriage to Verla Fanning in 1983 ended in divorce 1997.

Rodney was predeceased by his parents and nephew, Randall Rageth. Survivors are his sister, Cheryl (Max) Rageth; nephew, David (Brenda) Rageth; Great nephews, Michael and David Rageth; great niece, Amanda (Jared) VanTassell; and great great nieces, Ayden and Avery VanTassell

Memorial gravesite rites will be at 2 P.M. on May 4, 2018 at Martin Community Cemetery with the Rev. Lisa Danielson presiding. Memorials are suggested to the Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church and donations may be sent in care of Bennett County Funeral Service, PO Box 65, Martin, SD 57551. After services, lunch will be served at the Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church.

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