Early Life
Steven J. Rodvold (“Steve”) was born on June 14, 1953, in Crosby, North Dakota, to Melvin and Alice (Smith) Rodvold. The fourth of five surviving children, Steve spent his childhood years in Fortuna, North Dakota, which was like growing up in Mayberry. He made friends easily, including from the nearby Air Force Station, now closed. He and little sister Charlene would sell peach pits along the roadside to make money. Fortunately, Uncle Bill Stauffer would often buy them out.
At age 11, Steve moved with his family to Crosby, where he lived until graduating from high school as a Crosby Maroon, Class of 1971. High school is where he would meet lifelong friends Bob, Dan, Dave, Mark, Steve, and Tim, forming a classic rock cover band called Destiny with several of them (though he claimed he was never any good at playing the guitar). Listening to and seeing live music would remain a passion of Steve’s throughout his life.
Family Life
High school is also where he met the woman who would be by his side the rest of his life, the cheerleader and farmer’s daughter Jeanine Jacobson. Immediately following his graduation from North Dakota State College of Science, Steve married Jeanine at her parents’ farm on June 16, 1973.
On April 27, 1980, Steve and Jeanine welcomed their first son, Zachary Jacob Rodvold ("Zach.”) Zach always bore a striking resemblance to his dad, all the way down to the (vanishing) hair. Steve was active in Scouting while Zach was a Cub and Boy Scout, joining him for winter camps, pinewood derby races, and den meetings. In the summer of 1997, Steve accompanied Zach’s high school jazz band on a trip to Europe, where they attended the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Montreaux, Switzerland, and visited London and Paris. Despite Zach’s teenage angst over having his dad as a chaperone, it was the trip of a lifetime.
Zach married Emily Shaffer on January 18, 2014, and would bring three beloved grandchildren into “Papa Steve’s” life: Waylon (2016), Miles (2018) and Avett (2020).
On May 28, 1983, Steve and Jeanine welcomed their second son, Alexander James Rodvold. Along with big brother Zach, Steve was the den leader for Alex's scouting career. Alex followed in Steve's creativity and shared an interest in photography. While Alex was in high school, Steve was able to provide professional equipment which helped Alex earn 1st place in a photography contest and his photo ended up in that year's yearbook. Steve was always incredibly supportive of Alex's (sometimes questionable) creativity.
Alex married Sara Shilling on August 11, 2012, and they would bring Steve’s first surviving grandchild into the world, his darling Alivia (2015).
Education & Work Life
Following the wedding, Steve and Jeanine moved to Fargo, where Steve was employed at Northern Heating as a sheet metal apprentice. He received his Journeyman Certificate in 1977. The family moved to Minot, ND in 1982 where Steve received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration-Management from Minot State University.
Following graduation, Steve worked for North Dakota Opportunities in Minot, transferring to the Minnesota Migrant Council in Fargo in 1988. In 1991, Steve began his career with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota and Noridian Mutual Insurance Company, where he served as Director of Human Resources Administration at the time of his retirement in 2015.
Hobbies & Interests
Steve enjoyed time with his grandchildren, whom he adored. He loved art and nature and appreciated the beauty of everyday life. He enjoyed traveling, visiting friends and relatives, kayaking, hiking, biking, Bison Football, and listening to NPR and all genres of music, but his greatest passion was photography. In his early work years, whenever there was a lull, he would enroll in college courses in the Art Department at Minnesota State University Moorhead. He was able to truly enjoy his photography during retirement and was active in the Fargo Moorhead Camera Club up until his death.
Steve was a past member of the Fargo/Moorhead Human Resource Association, NDSCS Special Needs Advisory Committee, and a former Cub Scout den leader.
We’ll Meet Again
Steve is survived by his wife Jeanine; their children and grandchildren, Zach (Emily) Rodvold and their children Waylon, Miles and Avett, of Shorewood, MN and Alex (Sara) Rodvold and their daughter Alivia, of Fargo ND; brother Roger (Chris) of Roseville, CA; sister-in-law Gaye Rodvold of Bloomington, MN; sister Charlene (John) Moenkedick of Deer Creek, MN; sisters-in-law Karen (Dale) Lucas, San Antonio, TX, Bev Jacobson of Minot, Laurie (Kipp) Jenson of Minot and Luann (Danny) Roehrich, of Strasburg, ND; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter Elena; brother Loren, sister Beverly and her husband Jerry Allen; brother-in-law I.J. Jacobson, sisters-in-law Margie Jacobson and Marilyn Mitchell, and nephew Erik Jacobson.
Steve will be missed by all who knew and loved him.