Rodney Overton Rehfeld passed away peacefully on January 19, 2026, at his home in Sun City, Arizona. His wife, Helen and his two daughters were at his bedside.
Born on February 15, 1943, in Oakland, California, Rod’s early years were unsettled. His mother, Marjorie Joan (Elton) Rehfeld, was absent during his early childhood, and his father, Richard Overton Rehfeld, was away serving in the Coast Guard. His first years were primarily spent with his grandmother, Patricia (Overton Rehfeld) Beebe, and his step-grandpa, Elmer Beebe. When they also left to support the war effort-his grandmother as a WAVE (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service) and his grandpa in the Army-Rod went to live with extended family on a ranch near the Oregon-California border. After his father completed his military service, the two of them moved to live near family in Santa Rosa, CA.
When he was five, his parents reunited, and before long, he was part of a family of five-his parents, his stepbrother, Barry, and baby brother, Joel. He had fond memories of his childhood years in Santa Rosa. His father passed along a love for the ocean, and Rod spoke of happy memories of overnight camping trips on the beach with his family. He also spoke of his step-grandma, Eva Rehfeld (married to Walter Rehfeld), who brought him to church for the first time.
When he was twelve, Rod’s father was awarded a Veteran land grant near Mesa, Washington. The family moved there and were pioneers on a piece of land with no electricity or indoor plumbing. Working on the farm, Rod developed a strong work ethic that served him all his life.
After graduating from Connell High School in 1960, Rod lived and worked on an Othello farm and attended community college. The farmer required his employees to attend church. Rod heard and embraced the gospel. In his words: “ That summer, at a small Baptist church in Othello, Washington, Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, drew me to Himself and caused me to confront my own sinfulness and surrender my life to Him.” Rod chose to follow Jesus Christ from then onward.
Patriotism has been a common thread throughout Rod’s family history. Following in the footsteps of a long line of relatives, he enlisted in the US Navy in 1963 and proudly served for 20 years. As a submariner, Rod spent a cumulative total of about two years underwater. His final duty station was at the Trident Refit Facility in Bangor, Washington as Submarine Supply Support Officer. In 1983, he retired honorably as a Chief Warrant Officer Four (CWO-4).
Rod attended Western Baptist Bible College in El Cerrito, California, for one year before joining the Navy. That year, he met Ardith Burkhart. They married on April 8, 1967, and were blessed with 44 years together until her death in 2011. In 2012, Rod married Helen (Perrigo) Malmsten. Helen was an unexpected and wonderful gift from the Lord. Her love and companionship brought him joy and comfort in the last chapter of his life. Rod was a member of Grace Bible Church in Sun City, Arizona.
Rod Rehfeld is survived by his brother Joel Rehfeld (Marsha), of Pasco, Washington; his wife Helen of Sun City, Arizona; his daughter Janette Folks (Patrick), of Rockwall, Texas; and his daughter Julia (Tom), of Flagstaff, Arizona. Also surviving are his stepson, Ray Malmsten (Beth), of Peoria, Arizona, and his stepdaughter, Cheryl (Alex) of Keizer, Oregon. He is survived by ten grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and seven nieces.
As a Christian, Rod had no fear of death but full confidence in God’s promise of eternal life as found in the Bible. While he is deeply missed by all who loved him, his family is greatly
comforted in knowing they will see him again. He “..fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7.
