Rodney Lee Hoffman, 76, of Belle Fourche, SD, stepped out of this temporal life into his next great adventure in the fellowship of Heaven on Monday, July 13, 2026, at his home near Nisland, SD.

Rod was born July 5, 1950, in New Underwood, SD, the first of five children, to Walter G. and Onalee (Lytle) Hoffman. He attended first grade at a one room school on Corn Creek near Allen, SD. The beginning of his second grade year took him to Wasta, SD, where he stayed with his Lytle grandparents while his family finished their move to the old Ben Hoffman homestead near Creighton, SD. Thereafter, Rod attended Pleasant Ridge School, another one room schoolhouse, through eighth grade. Rod attended Wall High School as well as Rapid City Central and graduated in 1968 from Artesia High School in California. In 1969, Rod attended Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City, Iowa, where he truly began his life-long love of the livestock business.

In 1970 Rod went to work for Crago Hereford Ranches of Belle Fourche, SD. Known for his hard work and fearless risk-taking tendencies, it was no surprise when he jumped at the chance to go “North” where he worked on the Alaskan pipeline from 1976 through 1979. Somewhere on this journey, he developed an affinity for fighting chickens and consequently, spent a period managing and training the best fighting cocks in the world. This venture took him from South Dakota throughout the United States and into the Philippine Islands. A highlight he recently shared of those “wild days” was fighting cocks in the basement of the Hilton Hotel in New York City. Rod married Mary Lou Keil in 1981. They lived and worked around Gillette, WY, during the boom-town era.

By 1985, Rod left for Texas where, unbeknownst to him, he had an appointment with God. This dramatic encounter forever changed him. During this revival period, Rod met Jesus and then Rhonda Carter, in that order. He and Rhonda married on November 23, 1988, in Van, Texas. Rod stepped into Rhonda’s life and that of  her children, Shannon and Brandy. From that moment on, the children became his—he didn’t just take them in, he raised and loved them as his own. Rod taught Shannon and Brandy what it means to work hard, how to hunt and fish, and most importantly, the value of family and loving others well.

During the years in Van, Rod owned and operated Hoffman Construction, a concrete and construction company. While there, Rod was an active church member, raised show cattle, and was an avid supporter of the local FFA chapters. He served as President of the Texas Maine Anjou Cattle Association. One of his fondest memories was at the Fort Worth Stock Show when he and Shannon had the Reserve Grand Champion Maine heifer and then came back and won it with a cow-calf pair.

In the summer of 2009, Rod addressed some health issues and moved home to south Dakota. His dad, Walt, was chuckwagon cooking yet and Rod helped him serve at many a range branding. By 2010, Rod had the Open Range Cowboy Cooking business in full swing. He went on to cater many weddings and family reunions as well as serving the SD Buckaroo Ride for fifteen years. When asked of his cooking experiences he said, “That Buckaroo bunch became my great friends and they sure taught me Humbolism”. (his word).

This many faceted man, was also an avid hunter, taking his first bear on one of his many Alaskan trips. He deer hunted on ranges from SD to NM, MT and TX. Rod was an active participant in many long-range shoots and garnered numerous awards with his eagle eye. Whether as marksman, a durned good cowboy cook, raising cattle, or brand inspecting, he was a top hand. In later years, he enjoyed raising some mighty fine Quarter Horses too.

By Rod’s own admittance, he approached every part of life’s sojourn with eager and reckless abandon. He gave himself to many passions and his enthusiasm for the unknown adventures kept him on the move. In keeping with his rough and ready cowboy spirit, he took the diagnosis of ALM in stride and rode it like a bad horse into the sunset. Rod loped on over the horizon still whipping and spurring with courage. His family counts it a blessing to have been on this wonderful (and sometimes wild) journey with him.

Rodney was preceded in passing by his parents, Walter and Onalee Hoffman and one brother, J Ben Hoffman.

He is survived by his son, Shannon (Jennifer) Hoffman of Arlington, TX; his daughter Brandy (P.J.) Bailey of Midlothian, TX; Three sisters: Chris (Cliff) Crago of Belle Fourche, SD, Dawn Newland, Colony, WY, Kathy (Ted) Thompson of Whitewood, SD; his four grandchildren, Cassidy and Caroline Hoffman, Ava and Andrew Bailey, all of Texas; numerous adoring nieces and nephews, and a special friend, Saundra Reedy of Bison, SD.

Honorary Pallbearers are, Shannon Hoffman, Cliff Crago, Ted Thompson, Cody Crago, and all of his beloved nephews.

A public Celebration of Life Memorial will be held between 3 and 6 PM on Saturday, July 25th, 2026, at the Branding Iron Steak House in Belle Fourche, SD. A private scattering of the ashes will take place at the family memorial near Wasta, SD at a later date.

By Rod’s request, in Lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The Chutes For Charity of Belle Fourche, SD. Cards and remembrances in his name may be sent to: Chris Crago, 18956 Helmer Road, Belle Fourche, SD 57717.

Arrangements are under the care of Kline Funeral Chapel of Belle Fourche.  An online guest book and video tribute is available at klinefuneralchapel.com