Randall “Randy” Podein
Tuesday, September 13, 1960
Date of Death:
Friday, April 22, 2011
Age:
50 years old
Visitation
Date: Thursday April 28, 2011
Time: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Friday April 29, 2011
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Funeral Service
Date: Friday April 29, 2011
Time: 11:00 am
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Grandview Memorial Gardens [ view map ]
Tuesday, September 13, 1960
Date of Death:
Friday, April 22, 2011
Age:
50 years old
Tuesday, September 13, 1960
Date of Death:
Friday, April 22, 2011
Age:
50 years old
Randall “Randy” Podein
Randall “Randy” Scott Podein, 50, of Rochester, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, April 22, 2011 surrounded by his family and close friends, after a 2 ½ year battle with colon cancer.
Randy was born in Rochester, MN on September 13, 1960 to John “Jack” Podein and Marlys (Nelson) Podein. He grew up in Rochester and loved playing football, baseball, hockey, working at the family trucking business, going on family vacations and helping his Grandpa John on his beef cattle farm. In 1977 his family moved to Owatonna, and he graduated from Owatonna High School in 1978.
He worked at Office Depot, Musitronics and Cedar Inn while living in Owatonna, and in 1980 he began a job at Sherwin-Williams. Little did he know that his boss there would turn out to be his future brother-in-law. Randy rejoined his father and uncle working for the family trucking business back in Rochester in 1984 and drove back and forth with his Dad every day. On August 24, 1985 he married Barbara Ann Klinkhammer at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Owatonna. In December, 1985 he and his bride moved to Rochester with the hopes of raising a family. In June, 1990 Randy began working for Yellow Freight Systems in Rochester as a truck driver and dockman. In 2007 the operation joined with the terminal in Owatonna and eventually became YRC, Inc. He thoroughly enjoyed his job, his co-workers and his customers. He was known for his kind gentle ways and many described him as a “gentle giant”. Randy kept working throughout his cancer treatments and rarely missed a day of work. He maintained a high quality of life during his battle and died like he lived, with dignity and grace.
Randy enjoyed coaching or helping with youth hockey, baseball, soccer, football, and girls’ fastpitch for many years while his children were growing up. Many of Rochester’s youth knew him as “coach”. He always encouraged his players to have fun and stay positive. Randy also served as a board member of the Rochester Girls Faspitch Association and tournament director.
Randy’s greatest joys were spending time with his family and friends grilling, golfing, sitting by the firepit and especially fishing and boating. He was quick with a joke and always willing to help anyone. He was especially popular with the nursing staff during his treatments because he was always so kind and positive. He became famous for saying “It’s All Good.”
Randy is survived by his wife, Barb, of 25 ½ years, daughter Megan Podein ; twin sons Kevin Podein and Corey Podein all of Rochester; mother Marlys Podein of Owatonna; brother Timothy (Mary) Podein of New Brighton; sisters Kathryn “Kate” (Jeff) Glasenapp of Minneapolis and Jacquelyn “Jackie” Podein of Rochester; several aunts, uncles, sisters and brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Podein, his sister-in-law Pamela (Klinkhammer) Heidzig and his grandparents.
A funeral service will held on Friday, April 29, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester with the Rev. Thomas Loomis officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-8 PM on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Burial will follow the service at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Southeast Rochester. After the burial a luncheon will be served back at Macken.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Memorials are suggested to the Randy Podein Fund c/o Eastwood Bank, Rochester, MN.
Condolences
The family of Randall “Randy” Podein has received the following condolences.
Randy, sorry I was not able to see you those last days, but I'll always picture you with that bigger than life smile, beaming eyes, and ready to go coach at a drop of the hat, hockey, softball, all the time. Thank you for your friendship, and all the hours coaching on the Ice, and the laughing on the bench... Very good memories and big smile when ever you come to mind. All the family peace and comfort. Great Guy, great kids, wonderful wife.
My prayers and best wishes for you all.
Don Osborn
VERY sorry to hear about your husband Barb! You & your family are in my thoughts & prayers. Please remember to take care of yourself.
Tim & Family,
May memories of Randy’s greatness bring you all comfort and peace as he makes his journey to heaven. While he is gone from your eyes find comfort in knowing he will never be gone from your hearts. We send our heartfelt condolences to you all.
Love - The Mafi’s
Barb,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
Stephanie (Ratz) Beisel
My dear friends, while most of you do not know me, I have heard lots of wonderful stories and experiences that have been parts of your lives. My connection with you is through Jeff, Kate, Tess and Alex Glasenapp. They are dear friends. Kate has shared Randy's journey with me, and I know that this "mighty battle" has also been your journey, each person in his or her own way. Randy's heroic journey is now over and he is at peace with Jesus, no more pain and suffering. We can celebrate that freedom for him, yet his absence from this space and this time is at times more than you feel you can bear. Please remember that just as you held firmly together as family in supporting, encouraging and holding him; you are able to do the same for one another - just as I suspect you have been doing. Randy's peace is complete; your peace and comfort is prayer that I as well as so many other friends ask for you in this day and the days ahead. My love, Jacki
My dear friends, I feel as if I know you all, yet you may not know me. Kate and Jeff, Tess and Alex are the connection we share. I have heard so many wonderful stories and fun times you shared throughout the years. I know that for each of you, "family" tops the list of significant priorities. Randy loved you all so very much and you loved him with all your might(s). What a strong web of support and prayer and help surrounded and continues to carry you through these days and months ahead. Randy's battle is over and he is now at peace with Jesus. Your times are ahead, and Jesus is with you just as well. I am unable to attend Randy's service but will be thinking and praying for you all. My love, Jacki
Barb,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Tara and TC
Barb and kids, we wish you peace as you work through this difficult time. All of the great memories that you have of Randy will be a such a comfort to you all as time passes. Randy truly was a great guy, and will be dearly missed by so many. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Barb,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
April Thompson
No words can express how sorry we are to hear of Randy's passing. Please let us know if there is anything at all we can do to help you during this difficult time.
Craig, Bobbi, Jordan and Hunter Skare
Barb, my sympathies to you and your family. We love you and please let us know what we can do for you.
Barb, Megan, Corey, and Kevin,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you guys during this diffucult time. Randy was an awesome guy who always made me laugh when he was around. Just know that you have terrific friends that will be there for you when you need them and that you will be in our thoughts and prayers every day!
Steve and Dawn Carr ( Lee Lee's little sis)
Dear Barb and family,
Our deepest condolences for the loss of your dear husband. May God be with him, you and your family.
With symphaty,
Nico
Dear Barb,
I am sorry about your loss. May the almighty help you and your family to go through this tough time.
Suji
Barb and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. The challenges that life gives us are so hard to get through. May God give you and your family the strength to move forward and remember the wonderful memories. You were truly blessed with a wonderful dance with Randy through his life and yours. Focus on the dance that you had. We pray that your heart and soul will find peace and comfort
Paul, Kim, Alexis, Cole and Kayla
So sorry for your loss. Randy was a friend to all who knew him.
God bless you and keep you,
Harold R Oviatt
Barb & Family;
From myself and Randy's co-workers at the YRC Terminal in La Crosse WI. We offer our sincere
condolences for your loss.. Randy was a joy to work with. In my 24 years in the trucking industry,
Randy received more complements from his customers than all my drivers combined. We wish you
and your children our best wishes for today and the future.....
Ron, Gary, Scott, Gerry, Dean, Pete, Dan, and Jeff
Barb, Megan, Kevin, and Corey,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband and father. My deepest condolences to you all!
"I'll lend you for a little whileA child of mine ",God said --
"For you to love the while he lives
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years,
Or forty-two or three;
But will you, till I call him back,
Take care of him for Me?
He'll bring his his charms to gleden you
And -should his stay be brief --
You'll have his lovely memories
As solace for your grief.
I had the privilege of working at the Rochester International Event Center for Randy's benefit where I got to meet him for the first time. It was great also to meet his family & all the other people who cared about him. I'm very sorry for your loss. A special person like Randy will be greatly missed, but I'm glad you all have won derful memories of him.
Barb and Family,
My deepest and most heart felt sympathy to each of you. I have read with awe your writings over the past two years and the love that was shown in those writings. Randy is now without pain, and he went away knowing the love and respect that his family and friends felt for him.
Sharon Klein
Oh Barb, I am so incredibly sorry about Randy's death. I can't imagine how difficult this is for you and your family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Family of Mr. Podein --
I have worked in Rochester at the Sherwin Williams for the last 20 years . Randy was always one of the favorite guys from Yellow freight . He always was cheerful and very helpful . When I found out he worked for the company at one time that made conversation easy . Also his brother in law Dave has been a friend for years . I am sorry for your loss as Randy was a great man in the little contact I had with him . I just wish I knew him more as he was a great person . My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Barb and Family,
Your family is in our hearts and prayers during this difficult time. So many good memories of Randy and softball. He has made our world a better place with his positive view and his encouraging thoughts.
Barb & Family,
We were deeply saddened to hear of Randy's passing. Our thoughts & Prayers are with all of you.
With sympathy,
Paul, Joanne, Hunter & Makenzie Dimick
Barb and family, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Randy will be missed by many people. I'll always remember him as being positive and always with a smile on his face! God Bless, Linda
Barb, I was sorry to hear about Randy's death, but am glad that his suffering is over. My prayers are with you and your family during this time of loss and grieving.
My deepest sympathy to you in the passing of Randy. What a great guy. We had alot of laughs during our days with Rochester Youth Fastpitch Association. Randy was always there, never said no. Such a positive guy that will be greatly missed. My prayers are with.