Rodelle "Rod" Carlton Rule

Rod Rule, age 92, of Leawood, KS could see “Heaven in his horizon.” He passed into the presence of Jesus in his sleep on June 15, 2026 and woke up in Heaven, joyfully reunited (after five years of waiting) with his wife Anne, the love of his life, with whom he enjoyed 60 years, raised four daughters, and co-hosted holiday parties for six growing grandchildren. Anne passed in 2021, and Rod moved to Town Village of Leawood the next year at age 88. He loved his new home and considered everyone family since they “lived under the same roof.” There was nothing more important to Rod than faith and family, especially since he began life growing up in a broken home.

Rodelle Carlton Rule was born on May 5, 1934 to Zed Thomas Rule and Laura (Floy) Rule in Clear Lake, IA, the youngest of four children. Born during the Depression, his dad found work in Saginaw, MI, and his family left a large family network to join him there when he was three. His mother grew up on a farm, the youngest of 13 children. Like his mother, Rod later loved the soil and planting gardens. But instead of farms, there were factories. His mom worked for Saginaw Steering Gear and became the primary parent of the home.

At 19, Rod worked at the factory and met a friend on the line who challenged him to read the book of John in the Bible. Before he finished, he realized that he also had a Father in Heaven who knew and loved him personally, and it changed his life. He was so excited about sharing this good news that someone suggested he consider becoming a pastor.

Two years later he gave his first sermon at a church in Saginaw entitled “Weeds in the Garden of Eden” and became a student pastor while attending Eureka College, Ronald Reagan’s alma mater. Rod was on the team giving Mr. Reagan and wife Nancy a campus tour in 1957, and a friend captured the special moment he shook Ronald Reagan’s hand. After Eureka, Rod attended Union Theological Seminary in NYC, and life took a new turn.

Rod met Anne at a wedding he was unexpectedly asked to perform, filling in at the last minute for another pastor. She was the maid of honor. Their unlikely meeting had to be divine providence because on November 11, 1961 (one year later) she became his bride. During their first five years, Rod nearly lost his young wife to illness, but their faith grew deeper, and they were blessed with a 60-year journey of faith that took them from NY all the way to Kansas City in 1969, and to Grandview in 2001 to enjoy 20 years of retirement.

Along this journey, Rod was a pastor (15 years) and later a Job Corp recruiter for Missouri Employment Service helping young people get career training (25 years). After he retired in 1999, he actively volunteered as a chaplain at Overland Park Regional Medical Center, and he led a ministry in his Grandview neighborhood. Rod and Anne were also actively involved and loved their church family at Central Church in Grandview.

Rod was a lifelong gardener, but he was also a passionate planter of God’s Word. He was dedicated to Bible study, deeply appreciating its Jewish roots, and planted seeds of God’s love, faith, and hope from God’s Word for over 70 years . . . in sermons, prayers, songs of faith, symbols (butterflies), decorations, and in holiday celebrations. Rod, with Anne, also planted seeds of faith together in their family, both intentionally and as they lived out their personal lives and challenges in faith. In his final four years, despite physical challenges, Rod continued to find joy and purpose in sharing faith, hope and assurance of God’s love with his family at Town Village with hallway holiday decorations, his joyful countenance, engaging interaction, zest for life (including five trips in his 90’s) and hope of Heaven. Now Rod surely enjoys gardens of Heaven’s dimensions (where weeds can no longer grow)!

Rod was preceded in Heaven by his wife Hilda Anne Rule, his parents Zed and Laura Rule, and siblings: Zed Rule Jr., Floy Edgar, and Charlene Rule. He is survived by four daughters: Laura (Bruce) Inwards of Kansas City, MO, Ruth (Jim) Elo of Belton, MO, Janet (Dave) Seyfried of Grandview, MO, and Carole (Chris) Rule Gannaway of Burleson, TX; seven grandchildren: Jarrod (Angel) Elo, Joanna (Alfred) Jensen, Anna (David) Riley, Julie (Khalid) Mansouri, Seth (Megan) Elo, Laurie Inwards, Hayden Gannaway; and five great-grandchildren: Malachi, Nayvah, Essie and Zimri Elo, and Michael Mansouri.

May God bless the memory of Rod Rule and the seeds of faith and hope planted through Rod’s life as he shared the good news of God’s amazing love and celebrated the joy and peace he found in knowing Jesus. A Celebration of Life was held for Rod at Town Village of Leawood on July 8, 2026. The video tribute that was presented, “Remembering Rod Rule” can be accessed at: https://youtu.be/7jHMhfr8niw. The family plans the internment of Rod and Anne’s ashes in Belton Cemetery on November 11th, the day that would be their 65th anniversary. What was HOPE is now HOME for Rod and Anne!

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9