Rodney Jeffery

Rodney Jeff Jeffery, 61, of Madison Lake, MN died Wednesday morning January 14, 2004. Ironically, he was killed in a motor vehicle accident while driving to give a driving safety seminar. One million accident free miles, he used to brag, sadly proving accidents happen to even the best of drivers.

A loving husband and father, Jeff is survived by his wife, Joyce, his sons Kent (wife Kathy), Jai (Annika), and Terry (Meg). Grandpa took special pride in his six grandchildren as well: Anya, Aidan, Liam, Ian, Ava, and Ilsa. He is further survived by his sisters, Nancy Lynch (husband Bob) and Diane Shurgot (Sonny ). He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Helen Jeffery, and by several special friends, all of whom he has undoubtedly now reconnected with.

Jeff was born at night on November 4, 1942 (not last night) in Palmyra, New York. After graduating high school " unquestionably a time in his life that rates amongst the most memorable he spent " he attended college for a time at the Rochester Institute of Technology in upstate New York. He eventually moved to Minneapolis where he completed his studies in Transportation and Traffic Management, graduating from the Humboldt Institute. It was in the Twin Cities where he met his wife of the past 41 years, Joyce Jane Hemish.

Jeffs work history was as colorful as he was, doing everything from owning and operating service stations to working as operations manager for several area truck lines. Ultimately he excelled doing independent contract work as a traffic management and safety consultant where he combined his extensive knowledge of trucking and busing with his love for public speaking. It turns out he finally realized he was his own best boss, which made him a difficult employee to say the least.

When not engaged in the activities of running his own business, Jeff loved nothing more than involving himself in the construction, manufacture, or creation of something anything. He enjoyed tending to yard and garden work with his wife at home, predictably reciting the theme song to Green Acres whenever riding about on the mower. He had talents in wordworking that will forever be treasured by his granddaughters, for each of whom he built cedar chests, and his grandsons, who received hand-built wagons. Though he was a patient teacher, and eager to share his mechanical skills and knowledge with anyone whod listen, its safe to say he never read an instruction manual in his life.

Above all, however, Jeff epitomized and embodied the spirit of family. As husband, Jeff grew ever more caring and patient in this role. People who know Jeff and Joyce undoubtedly observed a resurgence of their love and companionship during the years preceding his death. As father, he accomplished that difficult transition from guardian and caretaker to friend and confidant for each of his three sons. Jeffs spirit of family was further evidenced with the arrival of each of his six grandchildren in the past five years. He was in his element as Grandpa, spoiling them in succession then sending them home with their parents to be retrained.

Services will be held at Mankato Mortuary on Monday, January 19th at 10:30 am with Rev. Steve Kosberg officiating. Visitation is Sunday, January 18th from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, and again at 9:30 am on Monday before the funeral. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, Jeff and the family request memorials be made to Cure Autism Now (www.canfoundation.org).