Rodney "Butch" D. Eastman

Rodney D. “Butch” Eastman age 76 of Detroit Lakes, MN died December 26, 2020 at the VA Medical Center in Fargo, ND, due to Corona Virus complications.

Rodney Dean Eastman was born December 5, 1944 in Detroit Lakes, MN to Harry and Shirley (Stearns) Eastman. Rodney grew up in the Cotton Lake area and went to Country School until sixth grade. He then attended school in Frazee, MN, graduating from Frazee High School in 1962. He started his working career at the Swift Turkey Plant in Detroit Lakes. He then worked road construction for McGary Brothers until 1965 when he entered the U.S. Army. He served at Fort Carson, CO until 1967. He returned home and continued his road construction work.

He met his soulmate Myra Jean Anderson and they were married April 20, 1968. They made their home in St. Paul, MN for a year and a half, where Rodney worked for the railroad unloading freight cars and later delivering pop for RC Cola. Rodney and Myra didn’t like city life and moved back to the Detroit Lakes area. He worked for Ness Construction, Delbert Drewes Construction, and the Crystal Sugar Company. In 1972 he started working for Collin Construction as a heavy equipment operator. He ran the rock crusher for ten years until they shut down.

Following his career in road construction he started working for the Thomas McCully Fence Co. He became a partner in the business and in 1983 became sole owner and changed the name to Eastman Fence. He owned and operated the business for 37 years and was currently working until he became sick. In honor of their father, his sons will keep his business open and running. They do not plan to close.

Rodney enjoyed hunting ducks with his Black Lab Sally and son Jesse. He also liked cutting firewood. Deer hunting was a family event. His sons, uncles and cousins all got together and hunted deer for many years. It was often referred to as the Stearns Hunting Crew. They shot many deer. Rodney and Myra traveled all over the United States and saw many sites. His favorite spot was Texas, where his daughter and grandchildren live.

He is survived by his wife, Myra; two sons, Jesse Eastman, of Detroit Lakes, MN; and Bradley Eastman, of Detroit Lakes, MN; one daughter, Jill Eastman Daniels, of Boerne, TX; two grandsons, Cody and Drew Daniels, of Denton, TX; two granddaughters, Karlie and Kaila Daniels, of Stephenville, TX; three sisters, Millie Enerson, of Utah; Ruth Biel, of Detroit Lakes, MN; and Cheryl Eastman, of Detroit Lakes, MN; one sister in law, Julie Bannon, of Bemidji, MN; two brothers in law, Douglas Anderson, of Denver, CO; and Randy Anderson, of Bagley, MN; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and his beloved dog Sally.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two infant sisters, Susan and Brenda; his in laws, Merlin and Betty Anderson; and two brothers in law, Lee Bannon and Dan Enerson.

A visitation for Rodney will be on Saturday January 2, 2020 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the West-Kjos Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held in the spring. Interment will be in Senjen Cemetery, Rochert, MN, with Military Honors.