Rodney "Rod" Dayton Mosher, 81, of Crookston, MN, formerly of Beltrami, MN, died on Tuesday, July 12, 2016, at the Riverview Care Center, Crookston, MN. He was born on November 19, 1934, to Doc and Carola (Balstad) Mosher on a small farm Northeast of Beltrami in Liberty Township. He was baptized at Varnes Lutheran Church, rural Fertile, and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Beltrami. Rod attended grade school in Beltrami and high school at the Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA) in Crookston, graduating in 1952.

Rod was a tremendous athlete playing quarterback for the football team and wrestling. He was recognized as the "Top Athlete at NWSA" class of 1952. As a wrestler he received many awards, one of which was the "White Sweater Award." Rod played first base, right field and pitcher on the American Legion and Beltrami Baseball Teams. He was a Golden Gloves Boxing Regional AAU Champion, while attending Wahpeton State School of Science. He received the State Boxing Title in North and South Dakota. Rod graduated with a Diesel Mechanic Degree. He then attended College in Fargo, studying accounting for one term. He joined the United States Marines Corps on February 27, 1956. Rod was stationed at 29 Palms, California. There he played football, the positions of quarterback and linebacker, receiving a football scholarship to a college in Pueblo, CO, and boxed in the "Boot Camp Smokers." He was honorably discharged on February 6, 1958. Rod returned home and began farming south of Beltrami with his brother, Forrest.

On June 13, 1959, Rod was united in marriage to Judy Ward in Babbitt, MN. Rod continued to be active in sports, especially wrestling. He was a coach for the NWSA for seven years, a referee for high school and college wrestling for 20 years, and coached Jr. College Wrestling for 14 years at UMC, Crookston. He worked for American Crystal Sugar for 10 years and West Polk County ASCS as a field inspector. Rod retired from farming in 2001.

Over the years, he was active as a leader in the Beltrami 4H Club, specializing in livestock in the local and state level; Trinity Lutheran Church, Beltrami; Beltrami American Legion; he was active on the Cenex Board of Directors for eight years; and the Beltrami City Council. He was also active with NWEIA board member at UMC; voted top Aggie in 1978 at NWSA; was inducted into the Hall of Fame at UMC. In 2014, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame.

Rodney is survived by his wife, Judy Mosher of Beltrami, MN; sons, Bradley (Carolyn), Fergus Falls, MN; Bruce (Patty), Beltrami, MN; Kory (Teresa) Prior Lake, MN; eight grandchildren: Gracie and Hatti, Max and Carter, Dane, Gabrielle, Vincent and Liliana; brothers: Wayne (Carole), Claude (Barb), Nate, Don (Jane), and Tom (Jan); sisters: Betty (Charles) Wilkens, Judy (Jim) Ellingson, Vicky Payne, and Colette (Bill) Johnson; one sister-in-law: Joan Mosher; cousins, nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his son, Kent, parents, brother, Forrest and sister, Eva Mosher.

Memorial services will be on Saturday, July 16, 2016, at 11 am in Trinity Lutheran Church, Beltrami, MN.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 15, 2016, from 5-7 pm with a prayer service at 7 pm in Trinity Lutheran Church, Beltrami, MN.

Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery, Beltrami, MN.