Rodney Gene Trenary

FRENCHTOWN – Rodney G. Trenary, 79, passed away peacefully July 16, 2021, at Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana.

Rod was a man of great faith with a deep love for Jesus. He spread this faith to his children and every person he encountered. He was a poet, philosopher, and storyteller. He was a man who looked for the deeper meaning of everything in the world, always watching for miracles as confirmation of God’s love. His love for his family extended to many others, which encompassed what he referred to as his “love bubble.” In addition to being excited to see Jesus smile and his loving family who preceded him in death, he looked forward to a front-row seat at an eternal Ray Charles concert.

Rod graduated from Loyola High School in Missoula, Class of 1960, and following graduation, attended the University of Montana while working nightshift at the Bonner Lumber Mill and making deliveries for Majestic Wholesale during the day. He made his way to Duluth, Minnesota and began his retail sales career, which eventually brought him to Watertown, South Dakota where he soon met Karolyn, the love of his life, and raised five children together. He was a successful business owner of Rand Shoe Company in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Later on he became an award-winning salesman for KPAX TV in Missoula, where he built life-long relationships with his clients, including a special friendship with the owners of Sapphire Gallery and The Sweet Palace in Phillipsburg, Montana.

He was a member of the board of directors for Awakening Montana, a non-profit organization dedicated to the awareness of Sudden Infant Death in Montana. He also coached Little Grizzly Football and was an avid fan of North Dakota hockey, Montana Grizzlies, and Minnesota Vikings.

Rod was born December 8, 1941, in Missoula, Montana to Gene E. and Bertha D. Trenary, both deceased. Rod was preceded in death by his brother, Darrell G. Trenary and his daughter, Gretchen Phelps.

He is survived by his daughter and her spouse: Heidi and Dan Swingen of Grand Forks, North Dakota and their children Nicholas, Michael, and Brooke; his son and son’s spouse: Kerry and Paige Strom of Grand Forks and their children Lucas and Samuel; grandchild Garrett Phelps (son of Gretchen Phelps, deceased); his daughter and her spouse: Jaime and Brad Odell of Alberton, Montana, and their children Ryan, Eryn, and Barrett; and his son and son’s spouse: Blain and Amy Trenary of Hohenwald, Tennessee, and their children Shamus, Aeddon, Abigail, and Naomi. He is also survived by three brothers and their spouses: Gary and Nancy Trenary of Frenchtown, Montana; Brad Trenary and Mike Darr of Vashon Island, Washington; Kim and Renee Trenary of Apple Valley, Minnesota; his sister, Jean Trenary and Patty Gardner of Walla Walla, Washington; and Anna Trenary (spouse of Darrell Trenary, deceased) of Lakeville, Minnesota. Four great-grandchildren, several loving nephews, nieces, in-laws, and friends across the country will miss Rod and mourn his passing.

Funeral services will be private with immediate family only. A mass open to extended family and friends will be announced at a later date. The family suggests memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; www.stjude.org.