Rodney Dale Bentley

Rodney Bentley, 66, of Macedonia, Iowa, passed away at his home on October 9, 2015. As per his wishes, cremation has taken place.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at the Carson Community Center with Mike Harvey, officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 12, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Loess Hills Funeral Home in Carson.

Memorials directed to the Macedonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue

The legend that is Rodney Dale Bentley

Rodney Dale Bentley, 66, passed away Friday, October 9, 2015, at his home in Macedonia, Iowa. Good looking right from the day he was born, his parents, Harry Sherwood Bentley and Marjorie Marie (Chaney) Bentley, had their hands full in the summer of 1949 with baby Rodney in the Wesley Chapel neighborhood of Mills County, Iowa. Rod was one of four children in the Bentley household; his siblings appreciated his rascality, which generally resulted in a piece of candy for them from the doctor's office after Rod would get hurt. The family would later move with the purchase of his parents' first farm near Macedonia, Iowa in 1950. After graduation in 1967 from Carson-Macedonia high school, Rod studied the Farm Operations program offered at Iowa State University. He returned home to join his father and brother in the operation of the family farm.

In 1973, Rod ventured away from home and rented his first farm from Lee Clatterbuck. Lee would become a close friend and mentor. The two continued to work together until Lee's passing. Hard work enabled Rod to purchase his first farm in 1979 and continue to acquire land and beef cattle. He was a long time proud member and former president of the Pottawattamie County Cattleman's Association. He considered himself as a cattleman and then a farmer. Rod was strong willed, daring and loved a good challenge. He didn't live by a schedule or honor timelines. If he wanted to do it, he just did it. Usually not intending to break the rules, it honestly didn't occur to him that there were any. He loved working outside caring for his land, cattle and machinery. His wardrobe of cutoff jeans and no shirt was his fashion staple.

It was not all work for Rod. His marriage to LuAnn Grove in 1974 resulted in the birth of their son Jeffrey Dean in November of 1977 and their second son John Jay born March 1980. Rod lived life to the fullest. He loved a good rib eye, a good game of cards, a limit up day on the markets, and a nice cold can of Old Milwaukee. He carried a comb in his pocket and had an eye for a pretty gal. He rounded out his good looks with generosity, compassion and a heart of gold. His annual Fourth of July fireworks display has long been a popular community event. He was a friend to all that knew him. He was blessed with the Bentley gift of gab, a kind heart and compassion for all.

Rod is survived by his two sons, Jeffrey (Christine) Bentley, Ames, Iowa, John (Andrea) Bentley; grandson, Ethan; dear friend and companion Pennie, his mother, Marjorie Bentley, sister, Marilyn (Walt), brother, Bruce (Ruby), sister, Marlene (Terry). Also by many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Sherwood and grandson Landon.