Rod Kalk, age 82 of Bottineau, passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2023 at Grand Forks.  His memorial service will be held on Friday, July 28, 2023 at 10:00 am at the St. Mark's Catholic Church in Bottineau.  There will be a prayer service on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  His memorial service will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@jaredkadlec6469/streams

Rodney J. Kalk was born May 11, 1941 to Dan and Rose (Gunville) Kalk on the family farm rural Dunseith, ND. He was the third of ten children. He passed away peacefully on June 4, 2023. Rod was baptized and confirmed at St. Louis Catholic Church in Dunseith, ND.  Rod attended country school until moving into town. He graduated in 1961 from Dunseith High School where he was a star basketball player for the Dunseith Dragons, scoring 52 points in a single game (before there was a 3pt line). His biggest fan was his older brother Vince. His younger brother Julian also idolized his older brother.

Rod spent summers as a child in Blaisdell, ND with the Ray Lindberg family. They became acquainted at San Haven where both Dan Kalk and Janice Lindberg were tuberculosis patients. They welcomed him with open arms as a son they never had and brother to their three girls. He loved life on the ranch. He enlisted in the U.S. Army out of high school. He did his basic training at Fort Carson, CO. He enjoyed serving two years in Germany. He didn't know until going into the military that his given name was Joseph Rodney and not Rodney Joseph.

Rod married Evelyn "Evie" Langehaug daughter of Conrad and Mildred Langehaug on August 29, 1965 at St. Mark's Church in Bottineau, ND where he is a member. They were blessed with the birth of children Brian and Jacqueline. More joy came into their lives when grandchildren Jordan Sue, Blake, and Aidan were born.

Rod and Evie built their first home in Bottineau ND in 1972. Rod could walk to work carrying his lunchbox. At the end of the day, Brian and Jackie would be waiting with a basketball or baseball in hand. The family spent time following school events, enjoying the outdoors and many road trips. The fall of 1986 with both children off to college, Rod and Evie moved to their cabin on Lake Metigoshe where they have resided since. Many wonderful family times were spent there.

Rod's hobbies included snowmobiling, golf, hunting, fishing, playing cards, listening to music, watching sports and cleaning whether it was the garage, house, yard or vehicles. He loved everything polished to perfection.  Rod and Evie enjoyed traveling. They went to Norway for a family reunion in 1988 and Wedding Anniversary trips to Europe in 2001 and 2015. They spent 13 winters in Orange Beach, AL. They loved following their children and grandchildren wherever their education, careers or military service took them including three trips to Hawaii.

Rod began his career with North Central Electric, Bottineau, ND in March 1967. He received on the job training as a lineman. When NCE had a reduction in force the fall of 1969, the family moved to New England, ND where he worked for Slope Electric. The spring of 1971 he was called back to work at NCE. He retired in 2003 as Staking Engineer enjoying 20 years of retirement.

Rod is survived by his loving wife Evie of nearly 58 years, Lake Metigoshe; son Brian (Karen) Kalk of Grand Forks, ND; daughter Jacqueline Kalk, Plymouth, MN; granddaughter Jordan Sue (Mike) O'Brien, Sherman Oaks, CA; grandson Aidan Eagon, Plymouth, MN; sisters Janet Banish, Marlene Kopp and Natalie Jahner of Fargo, ND; nieces, nephews, brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws and cousins.

He was preceded in death by granddaughter, Blake Eagon; parents; brothers Vincent, Julian, and Marvin Kalk; sisters Louella Davis, Lorraine Hooper, Katherine Barbara Lopez; father and mother-in law; numerous brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be given to Hospice of the Red River Valley, 2860 10th Ave. N. Suite 400, Grand Forks, ND 58203, Bottineau County Veterans, 104 Main Street, Bottineau, ND 58318 or a charity of your choosing.