Rodney Cihlar, age 70, of Minneapolis, formerly of Alexandria, died Thursday, January 21, 2016. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 1:30 PM Saturday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
OBITUARY
Rodney Darrell Cihlar was born October 24, 1945 in Alexandria, MN, the son of Henry and Dorothy (Roers) Cihlar. He was raised and schooled in Alexandria where he graduated from Jefferson High School.
In August of 1963 Rodney joined the United States Navy. He served in Alaska and San Diego and aboard the USS Sperry. Following his discharge in October 1966 Rodney returned to Minnesota. He continued his education at St. Cloud State University where he earned his Master’s degree in social work.
Rodney worked for the State of Minnesota for about two years performing nursing home inspections. He later became a self-employed painter in Minneapolis. Rodney worked in maintenance for the US Postal Service for over twenty years before retiring.
Rodney loved music, especially jazz and rock and roll. He liked reading and watching sports. Spending time with family was very important to Rodney. Going on the yearly camping trip with his brothers and sisters was something he looked forward to. Rodney did not have children of his own so he made his nieces and nephews his children; he loved his family.
On Thursday, January 21, 2016 Rodney died at the age of seventy years. He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Cihlar; and one nephew, Scott Retzlaff. Rodney is survived by his mother, Dorothy Cihlar of Alexandria; siblings, Larry Cihlar and wife, Kathy, of Carlos, MN, Jerry Cihlar of St. Petersburg, FL, Annette Retzlaff and husband, Greg, of Miltona, MN, Mary Cihlar of Moorhead, MN, Irene Keife and husband, Bob, of Houma, LA, Rosalie Kessler and husband, Joe, of Bergland, MI, and Veronica Baas and husband, Roger, of Long Prairie, MN; and nieces & nephews.