Charles "Bennie" Rodine

After a prolonged battle with cancer, Charles “Bennie” Rodine died peacefully on December 29, 2020 in his home at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife, Marva and children Jon, Laurie, Jason and Justin.

Bennie was born on December 13, 1942 in Oakes, ND, to Ivan and Margaret Rodine, who proceeded him in death. He grew up on the family farm outside of Oakes, with two sisters and two brothers: Jerry Rodine (wife Carol), Joie Stevens (husband Gordy), Debbie Murray (husband Ed), and Corky Rodine (wife Cathy). Bennie is also predeceased by a sister Marianne.

He married Marva Joy Ellison on July 24, 1970. The couple bought their first home in Oakes, where they began their family. They had four children: Jon Fenno (wife Cosetta), Laurie Johnson (husband Mark), Jason Rodine (wife Brandy), and Justin Rodine.  Bennie has six grandchildren (Elizabeth Fenno; Caston Johnson, Collin Johnson; Brittney Day, Kelsey Weinzierl, and Zach Weinzierl) and two great-grandchildren (Henry and Harper Johnson).

Bennie was a hard-working and driven man who could not sit still. He enjoyed operating large equipment, first working on the farm, then in road construction, and eventually in over-the-road trucking.  In 1977, he bought his first truck and as they expanded the business, the family moved to Gwinner, ND.  B&M Trucking and Tire owned and operated 12 trucks, repaired and mounted tires, removed snow, etc. Basically, Bennie would help anyone with anything, anytime.

People who knew Bennie know that he could fix just about anything. According to Marva, he could fix a washing machine, but sure couldn’t run it. Even on his last days, while he lay in bed sleeping, he was busy fixing equipment and giving orders. Bennie was also a man who took charge and could be counted on. He was active on the Gwinner Park Board and was instrumental in getting the pool and park built.

Bennie was not boastful but was proud of what he had. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed time with his family, salmon fishing, ice fishing, playing pool, and working in the yard and garden.

In 1996, he became a Master Mason in the Golden Fleece Lodge in Forman, ND. With the El Zagal Shrine, he was active with the circus committee and the Vikings. In 2000, Bennie was elected President of the Vikings unit and arranged a bus trip to Minneapolis to tour the Shriners Hospital for children. He became a member of the Royal Order of Jesters in 2002.

In 2001, they sold the business and a few years later moved to Fargo, ND to be closer to their boys. Instead of retiring, Bennie preferred to keep busy, working for Asplin Incorporated until 2013. Bennie and Marva moved to Glyndon, MN in 2018.

His funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 5 at West Funeral Home in West Fargo, ND, with Visitation held 1 pm – 2 pm.   Reverend Elizabeth Hiller of Dilworth Lutheran Church will be officiating. Bennie requested to be cremated and his ashes will be interred at a later date in Oakes View Cemetery, Oakes, ND

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