(This poem was found in Rod's wallet when he passed, he carried this with him everyday)

Believe in Yourself
And in your dream
though impossible
things may seem,
Someday, somehow you'll get through to
the goal you have in view.
Mountains fall and 
seas divide before
the one who in his stride
Takes a hard road
day by day
sweeping obstacles away.
Believe in yourself 
and in your plan.
Say not-I cannot but, I can.
The prizes of life we
fail to win, Because we doubt the
power within. 

Rodney Nicholas Tatalovich

I will love my Grandpa forever. Love is stronger than death and I know he is always there for me. The memories we shared together were endless. He was my father figure in my life that supported my hopes and dreams. He went to every dance recital, dance competition, and every school event. He is truly one of a kind and I miss his warm loving hugs and him telling me before I walk out of the house to "Be careful". He is the most intelligent, wise, loving person I have ever met. I am so lucky that I was able to call him my Grandfather. He made a huge impact in my life and I will never forget the memories I had with him.

I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of Rodney. He and my mom JoAnn were first cousins. She and Rodney are now celebrating together in Heaven. I remember Rodney's kind eyes, and smile! Peace be with all of you! Jeanine Grover-Ryan

Hon, 2 weeks and one day have gone by and I miss the smile of your loving and handsome face which has left me for a loss of words until this gloomy and snowy day. 

The devastation of this unexpected time of losing you has flowed through each vein in my body of pain, sorrow, and a nightmare I cannot wake up from.

I always thought I would be the first to go but I guess life throws you for a loop. You were the best husband, and father a woman could have and you took care of everyone in your family, especially me, without a complaint in the world. You completed me to the depths of unlimited love that no one could ever go further, or could ever take your place.  

I am so proud I was the woman you chose to love all the 49 wonderful years we were together, and I thank God for everyday you spent in my life, it was a true blessing.  Now you have no more pain, and you are enjoying heaven with our passed on loved ones, I am more than happy to say the day the good Lord decides to take me I will be more than excited to see the love of my life again waiting for me with your beautiful smile, and open arms.  I miss you and love you with all my heart and soul.  

All my love.

Your wife Lenore

The days have gone by since I was 10 yrs. old and all I wanted to do was hang around with my cousin Rodney. He always had hot cars and I always wanted to ride with him.Once in awhile when I was good he gave me rides as a reward. Recently he sent me a book with a handwritten note about our 3rd cousin Pistol Pete Maravich. It was the first book I completely read since college. I wanted to talk with him about the book and was waiting until he was feeling better. I never got the chance to but will talk to him when I see him in heaven. I will always have the memories of growing up with Rod in the neighborhood and will miss seeing him.Our thoughts go out to Lenore and his family.

No words can ever express the loss our family is feeling at the passing of you,Rod. There are so many great memories of the years growing up together.  One thing that I am sure of is that your mom and my mom (Sylvia) were waiting to welcome you into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Love your cousin, Judy

I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family of Rod Tatalovich. Rod was truly a saint in every way. He always welcomed you into his home with a smile and a sincere hello. He was a true family man who loved and gave everything he could to his family. I am so honored to have known him. He will be sadly missed.

Oh my dear dad, I miss you so. Now that I am back in Florida and there is no longer all of the planning to be done and all of the people to be around, there is all of the free time to ponder all of the great memories that you and I have shared. And dad we have so many. You were such a great teacher. You really made me the person that I am today and I am very proud of that, and I know that you were just as proud of me. So thank you for being the awesome, loving, caring, generous, witty, humorous, smart person you taught all of us to be. Forever in my thoughts. Loving and missing you always until we meet again. Your daughter, Lori Lynn

I met Rod's daughter in 1977. We were 4 th graders and I was new in the neighborhood. Lori wearing a fishing hat with bubble gum emblems all over it brought a welcoming party of girls over to my house on a Saturday morning. She was funny and friendly and we are friends today. She must have got that from her dad because I remember Rod always at work, working on the house, working on the cars. He made a his family and home very beautiful. He was kind and always happy and smiling. Thank you Rod for being a great role model n my life. Rest in peace until we meet again. I already miss your presence. My love and prayers to the family.

I was extremely fortunate to have met him He was one worker that was rarely seen by me.  the years that I was associated , not  one complaint was heard .  George Woody

I met Rod's daughter Lori when I moved into the neighborhood in 1977. She brought a group of girls to my house and Lori was wearing a fishing hat with bubble gum emblems all over it and they welcomed me. She must have learned that from her dad, she was funny and friendly and we are still friends today. I remember Rod worked a lot at work and around the house, making his home a warm and welcoming home.  I remember him being kind and gentle spoken and always happy and smiling, and he did anything for the ladies in his life. I will always remember him this way. Until we meet again, rest in peace Rod, I miss your presence here already. I love your family.

Reserved, kind, thoughtful, hardworking, patient and witty are words I would use to describe Uncle Rod.  He loved his family very much and it was evident in how he spoke to them and about them.  He will truly be missed  with love and deepest sympathy,

Dear Dad,

I loved you more than words can say. You have always been there for me and our whole family, and I thank you for that. 

You loved us all no matter what. You gave me great wisdom and strength.

Thank you for making me the person I am today.  I will forever be grateful to God for giving me the father I had. 

God Bless, until we meet again...

Rod and I worked on the same design squad at MN DOT in the late 80s.  Sitting at a drafting table is not always the most stimulating work but Rod saw the humor in life and work and I'm sure put a smile on my face every day I worked with him.  One of the funniest, witty and mischievous characters I have met in my life.  There was never an empty seat at whatever coffee break table Rod was sitting at.  I will miss him.

That was a wonderful service yesterday and Mariah did an excellent job. I went to school with Rod and new what a great guy he was. One thing that I don't think was mentioned was how brilliant he was. I remember in one class the teacher asked what mammal started out on four upgraded to two and ended on three. Everyone looked around to see who could answer the riddle,
Of course it was Rodney. Rodney said it was man, starting out crawling, then walking and then using a cane. Rodney was truly exceptional and will not be forgotten.

I met Rod in 1985 when I started work at MNDOT. In a very short time we became good friends. I too went to Morgan Park High School which meant Rod and I had a few things in common. We would often talk about the teachers we had at school, the Good Fellowship Club and the Steel Plant. I learned that Rod had worked with my older brother at the Steel Plant back in the old days.
While working at MNDOT Rod and I went to lunch everyday together for a good number of years and spent most of our coffee breaks together. I was sad when he retired from MNDOT because he would always make the day go better with his stories, jokes and laughter.
He will be greatly missed........

My Deepest Condolences,
Ron Thompson
Esko, MN.

Ron Thompson

I am truly surprised and saddened by the news of Rod's passing.  I got to know him through bowling and will miss his kind and always happy nature.  He will be missed by many both from MNDOT and WisDOT.

We are Rod's Neighbors. My Grandchildren delighted in Rod's beautiful decorations that he put up in his yard for each season. My youngest Granddaughter, who is almost six years old now, was visiting when she was two years old. When we left to go back to her home, she disappeared the moment I turned around to lock the door. There she was at the end of our yard, in her little toddler snowsuit, standing there in awe, her gaze fixed, starring at the beautiful lighted Christmas decorations that Rod had installed in his front yard. Her little silhouette against the many bright Christmas lights, is an image that will remain etched into my memory for many years. There were many more opportunities all four of my Grandchildren had stopped to view all of Rod's beautiful decorations that he provided for all of us to enjoy each and every year. These moments will remain with me, reminding me of Rod, and what a Kind and Gentle Man he was. We always smiled and waived every time we saw one another, when Norman our Basset Hound and I were outside for one of our many daily walks. Rod was always busy working hard around his home and in his yard, making it a more enjoyable place to live. He maintained and cleaned all the Family vehicles. He always carried packages inside for all the Ladies in his Life. He will be missed by his Neighbors. We only knew him for five short years, but it was easy to know very early on, that Rod was the kind of Man, that everyone who knew him, Loved him and will miss him.

March 11th was a sad day the earth lost a wonderful man who was one in a million and that man was my father.  Dad there will never be another man or father to walk this earth like you did and everyone who knew you knows it. I am so torn apart for there were so many other things I wanted to experience with you and laugh with you about in this life.  You always wanted me to be happy and chase my dreams and I am still working on it and I know I will. I can't wait for the day we will meet again in heaven laughing about the old times and making many new. You are my hero and words can't express how I want to thank you for loving me unconditionally.  God Bless you dad, every breath I take will be the air of assurance to know the father I had was my role model, and my superman.  A day will never go by in my life that I will not stop thinking of your beautiful smile and charming wisdom, and more than ever your great sense of humor!

I love you daddy!

Leah

My heart felt condolences. Rod was a great guy!

To Rodney's wife children and Sandy
My sincerest condolences to all Rodney and I grew up together went from kindergarten to high school together worked at MN DOT together he was a good friend.  If I was not out of state I would be at Rodney's service.
My deepest sympathy 
Jim Anich MP school 1960

We are deeply saddened by the news. Our condolences to Rod's family. 
Rod was the best man at our wedding 51 years ago. 
Momchilo and Shirley Vucenich. Singer Island, Florida

I had the pleasure of working with Rod at the library. He was such a nice, caring gentleman. I will miss his kind manner and his friendly smile. My thoughts are with his friends and family at this hard time. He will be missed.

I am so sorry to learn of Rod's passing.  I worked with him for many years at the Duluth Library and always liked Rod so much.  He was always kind, helpful and very funny.  A real loss for your family and all his friends.  With sincere sympathy.

My deepest condolences to Rod's family.  In years of volunteering at the library, I thought there was no one kinder or more thoughtful than Rod. He was always so very pleasant to work with.  Deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and co-workers.

OBITUARY

Rodney Nicholas Tatalovich

18 December, 1941 – 11 March, 2016

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