Marlin “Rocky” O’Daniel (80) passed away peacefully on August 26, 2021 in Sioux Falls, SD, surrounded by his family.

Visitation service will be held on Thursday September 2nd from 5 pm to 7 pm with a prayer service following at 7 pm at Isburg Funeral Chapel. Funeral Service is 11:00 am Friday September 3rd at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Pierre. Interment will follow at Scotty Philip Cemetery in Ft. Pierre. A luncheon will be held after the Interment at the Pat Duffy Community and Youth Involved Center in Fort Pierre. For those persons unable to attend the funeral, it can be viewed in this screen:

Rocky was born December 21, 1940 to Lloyd and Marian (Vanderbilt) O’Daniel in Ashton, South Dakota. He grew up in rural Ashton before moving to Fort Pierre with his family. He was drafted into the Army on October 21, 1963 and was assigned to the 2nd Branch 10th Infantry. One of his service assignments included security detail for Jackie Onassis Kennedy, and during this time he taught her how to ski. Rocky was once offered an opportunity to ski in the Olympics.

Rocky grew up in Ashton, South Dakota before moving to Fort Pierre with his family where he met the love of his life. Rocky was a loving husband and father. He married Sharon “Heidi” Hanson on August 28, 1966. To this union three children were born: Candice “Sis,” Justin “Tubber,” and Allan “Jake.” After fostering many children, they officially adopted Maddix in 2019. Rocky had several occupations throughout his life including John Deere, Capital City Gas, security for the State of South Dakota, gas station owner, trucking company owner, and hauled fuel for Dons Sinclair. He also helped construct the Oahe Dam, where the nickname “Rocky” came to fruition. He loved to repair old tractors, lawn mowers, vehicles and was the go-to mechanic for his family. Rocky had a passion for race cars and spent many nights racing in his younger years. Most of all, Rocky was a family man who would go out of his way to help his family in anyway possible. He was an inspiration to all and loved to have meaningful conversations.

He is survived by his wife, Heidi; brother Jim Stover; sister Carol Zuber; and his children Candice (Douglas) Boes, Justin (Michelle), Allan (Tracy), and Maddix. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Marian O’Daniel; brother Allen, Lloyd “Jerry” and Larry; sisters Barbara Hayes, Judy Bouchie, and Sharon Holley; nieces Debbie Johnson, Charlotte Deiter, Sunni Holley, and Jennifer Davis.

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