Trongard Rodney D. Trongard, age 72, of North Mankato, MN died on Thursday, June 16, 2005 at North Memorial Hospice in Brooklyn Center, MN, after a 2+ year fight against cancer. Preceeded in death by his parents, Elmer and Florence Trongard, and significant other, Audrey Hopper. Survived by sister, Romona Trongard Bjorndal, children, Pamela (Joseph) Strauss, Daniel (significant other Shannon Strauss) Trongard, and Matthew (Vikki) Trongard, grandchildren, Ryan (Summer) and Trevor Trongard, great grand daughter, Taylor Trongard, grand-children- in-love, Andy and Patricia Crowder, Michael and Marni Strauss, Michael and Nicole Weaver, great grandchildren in-love, Zachary, Alexandra, MacKenzie, Andrew, Matthew, Lucas, Meghan, Abigayle and Gretchen and best friends, Richard Dahlin, Joe McConnell, and special friends, Doris Huss, Big Red, Michael Parry, Jim Olsen, Glenn Olson, Tim Tracy, Rick and Chris Junker, Pastor Steve Kosberg, and late in life Dr. Edward Greeno, M.D. Rod started as a radio broadcaster in 1953 and retired from KTOE on May 12, 2005. He was elected to the Minnesota Broadcaster's Hall of Fame in 2003. He was the voice of the Minnesota Gopher football team, Minnesota Fighting Saints, Minnesota Kicks, the American Wrestling Association and the World Wrestling Federation. He also was the broadcast voice for youth sports in Mankato and formed many special friendships with high school coaches and athletes at Mankato East and Mankato West, and especially Daniel Kjolsing, of the Mankato East track and field team. There are simply too many friends to list who loved him and all will miss him dearly. The family asks only for your love and support during this difficult time as this man, Rodney D. Trongard, was dearly loved by all and will be sorely missed. Visitation is scheduled from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Landkamer- Johnson-Boman, 825 S. Front St., Mankato, MN 56001, on Saturday, June 18, 2005. Services will be held at Hosanna Lutheran Church, 105 Hosanna Ave., Mankato, MN 56001, at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 19, 2005, with a pre-service visitation at 1:00 pm. Family prefers that Memorials be given to the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota.