Rodney “Rimfire” Boles

Rodney Eugene Boles, age 85, of rural Lamoni, Iowa, the son of Russel Doyle and Mary Ermal (Mendenhall) Boles, was born on January 12, 1940, at the Harkin Hospital in Osceola, Iowa. He left this life on June 17, 2025, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Rod grew up on farms outside of Grand River, Iowa where he enjoyed a happy farm life with lots of pet dogs and cats. He started his formal education at Foland Country School northeast of town. When he was 12 years old, the family moved so he finished his education at Grand River Independent School, where he excelled in sports. He played basketball and baseball before graduating in 1958.

After his schooling he moved to Des Moines, Iowa and worked for Yellow Pages and Desco Flooring. He married Jeanne Margaret Beardsley and they were blessed with two daughters, Valerie Kae and Angela Lynn. The couple parted ways and in the mid-1970’s Rod moved to Lamoni.

Rod and his brother, Bob, owned and operated Boles Implement for a few years. He partnered with his brothers, Bob and Richard “Doc”, farming for a few years before going on his own. He was proud to farm with family and partner with son, Rhett, and nephew, Mark Boles. In August of 1980, he opened Rimfire’s Lounge in Lamoni and operated it until August of 1985. He went on the wheat harvest for 20 years where he made many life-long friends.

On September 29, 1985, Rod married Brenda Mae Osborn in the Davis City United Methodist Church in Davis City, Iowa. They made their home in Lamoni. In September of 1991, they were blessed with son, Rhett. In April of 1997, the family moved to their current home where Rod farmed until recently.

When Rod wasn’t working he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brothers, cousins, and friends. He always had time to reminisce about the good ole days of Grand River with his family and friends. Having a meaningful conversation with him was memorable and his storytelling ability was legendary. Over the years, he was a player and sponsor of the Grand River fast pitch team, Boles Implement team and then Rimfire’s slow pitch team. He hit the first home run out of the park at the Grand River field during a fast pitch game. He also sponsored many ball games, tractor pulls, river parties, and chili feeds.

Rod was a proud man of all he had done in his life. He was proud of his family and friends, his farm, home, shop, sheds, and all of his equipment. He said he had no regrets, had lots of good memories, and enjoyed everything in life. He thought everything happens for a reason. He always enjoyed all of Rhett’s activities with his many friends. He was well thought of and said everyone should live every day with more love and laughter.

Preceding him in death were his parents; in-laws, Francis “Heavy” and Freda Osborn; brothers, Richard Boles and Robert Boles; brother-in-law, Marvin Evans; and nieces, Cassandra Sue and Chelsey Lee Evans.

He leaves a legacy of love, service, and dedication to his wife, Brenda Osborn of Lamoni; son, Rhett Boles of Lamoni; daughters, Valerie & Kevin Wagoner of Eagan, Minnesota and Angela & Mike Steenberg of Eagan, Minnesota; grandchildren, Julianne & Mahaesh, Drew, Beth, and Lauren; great grandson, Kieran; brother, Ron “Ripper” & JoAnn Boles of Grand River; sisters-in-law, June Boles, Marcia & Rex Houk, Ramona Clark, and Carla Evans; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and many, many friends. He will live on in the hearts and souls of all who knew and loved him. There needs to be more Rod Boles’s in the world.

Funeral services will be held at the Trinity Christian Church, Decatur, Iowa at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2025, with Pastors Matt Remsburg and Ron Helton officiating. Burial will be in the Lillie Cemetery, north of Lamoni, Iowa. Visitation is at the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa on Friday, beginning at 2 p.m. with Family receiving friends 5 – 7 p.m.

A memorial fund has been established by the Family.