Rodney "Rod" Keith Dunn, 84, of Cook, MN passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 9, 2025 with his loving wife by his side.

Rod grew up on a farm near Hallock, MN. He graduated from Northwestern Bible College in Minneapolis June of 1963. He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Clow on June 22, 1963. After graduation he served as pastor of the Crane Lake Chapel for two years before attending one year at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul. He transferred to Bethel College and received his B.A. in Elementary Education. He and Betty then moved from St. Paul to the Nett Lake Reservation where they were actively involved in the ministry at the Baptist church in the village. Their son Steven was born in 1969 while living there. Their daughter Lisa was born in 1970 while living on Indian Point on Pelican Lake. Both children were blessed to have a very special pastor and wife, Wally and Shirley Olson, who loved them dearly and taught them about Jesus and His love for them.

Rod taught elementary students at Nett Lake for over twenty years and then tutored Native American students at the Orr High School. He spent his summers as a commercial float plane pilot, giving sight-seeing rides on Lake Vermilion and Pelican Lake. He loved flying his family and friends into Chub Lake to an island campsite where the walleye fishing was "out of this world"! For seven summers Rod was employed by Jeno Paulucci as one of his twin-beech float plane pilots, flying each week from Park Point in Duluth to Jeno's Outpost in Canada. His dear friend, Don Anderson, was instrumental in providing this amazing opportunity for him. Don and Rod were best of friends. Their common motto was "I'd rather be flying."

He was an active member of the First Baptist Church, serving on various committees and boards. He enjoyed teaching adult Sunday School classes for many years. He loved spending time with his children, his brothers, sisters, their spouses, nieces and nephews. His favorite "home away from home" was his hunting cabin at the Dunn Bunch acreage in Lancaster MN near his hometown.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Katie Dunn; his son, Steven Ray (January 12, 1969 – July 27, 1992); sister, Katherine Keske, February 2012; brother Joel 2022; nephews: Jason Dunn and Greg Kasprowicz.

Rod is survived by his wife Betty; his daughter Lisa Kittleson (Jeffrey); grandchildren: Paige Syverson (Zac) and Noah Kittelson (Maddy);

"adopted grandchildren": Alex, Addison and Zoey Burchardt; brothers: Duane Dunn of Northfield, MN, and Dale Dunn (Cheryl) LaPorte, MN; and a sister, Susie Kasprowicz (Dean) Hallock MN.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 28 at 11am at First Baptist Church. Visitation will be held at 10:30. In lieu of flowers Rod chose MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship) as the recipient of memorial gifts.