WI Guard Retiree News & Info Update - Passing of a Guardsman

MG (Ret) Rod Hannula started his career in the Wisconsin National Guard (8 years including commissioning from the Wisconsin Military Academy) before transferring to the Minnesota National Guard.

Major General (Ret) Rod Hannula Obituary 

Major General (Retired) Rodney R. Hannula, a longtime resident of both Lincoln, CA (19 years) and Maplewood, MN (55 years) passed away unexpectedly on September 15, 2022 at the age of 82. Rod was preceded in death by: Terry (wife), John (father) and Helen (mother.) Rod was survived by his 5 children : Son Ronn Hannula (Laurel)-TN, daughter Tracy Populorum-MN, son Timm Hannula (Noelle)-CA, son Jay Hannula (Alysa)-MN, and son Brad Hannula (Michelle)-CA. Also survived by 10 grandchildren who knew him as “Papa”: Corey (Andi)-KY, Cosette (Tim)-CA, Brady -TX., Nathan -MN, Chad -MN, Noah -MN, Samm -CA/AZ, Cade -CA, Drew -CA, Jake -CA, one great grandchild Mason-MN and his sister Karen Runde (Joe)-WI.

Services will be held at a later date and time (TBD). 

Rodney Robert Hannula was born in Saxon, WI on September 4^th, 1940 to Helen Taivalmaa and John Hannula. He excelled in both basketball and baseball while in high school and graduated from Saxon High in 1958 as both Valedictorian and Class President. Rod went on to UW-LaCrosse from where he graduated in 1964 with Math and Chemistry Degrees. Rod continued his higher education and earned his MBA at the University of Minnesota in 1971. Rod was voted into the Hurley Education Foundation’s High School Hall of Fame in 2019. 

Rod’s military service began in 1957 when he joined the Hurley unit of the Wisconsin National Guard as a combat Engineer and later deployed as a platoon leader during the 32^nd Division’s activation for the Berlin Crisis. Serving in various command and staff positions in the 732^nd Maintenance Battalion, he transferred to the Minnesota Army National Guard in 1965 where he continued his service for 43 total years reaching the rank of Major General (2 star). Rodney Hannula, assumed duties as Commander, 34th Infantry Division, Minnesota Army National Guard on April 4, 1998. He commanded the more than 15,000 members of the division primarily residing in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. The division also had units in Colorado, Illinois and Michigan. He commanded the 34th 'Red Bulls' Infantry Division headquartered in Rosemount, Minnesota until he retired in 2000.

While serving, Rod’s Military accomplishments were many, including:

• Legion of Merit (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
• Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
• Army Commendation Medal
• National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award)
• Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal 
• Army Service Ribbon
• Wisconsin Berlin Crisis Ribbon
• Minnesota State Active Duty Ribbon
• Minnesota Distinguished Recruiting Ribbon
• Minnesota Service Ribbon
• Memorialization at Camp Ripley

Outside of the military, Rod started working at 3M in 1964. While at 3M, he was awarded two patents; developed processes and products for Scotch tape and other pressure sensitive adhesives. Present day postage stamps stick to envelopes because of his work. He served as business unit leader of all Scotch Tab Easy Open Systems, a $75 million to $100 million per year division. He had this position for 10 years and worked closely with major producers of food products worldwide. He worked closely with the scientists who developed Post-it Notes and Stretch tape. Rod retired from 3M in 1995 after 30+ years. 

Much like Vince Lombardi, what was important to Rod was God, his family and the Green Bay Packers.  Rod was a dedicated family man and amazing provider for his wife and kids. Rod’s main hobbies included world travel (especially Hawaii) with his beloved wife Terry and his family, golfing, spending time with his kids, grandkids and great grandchild, and rooting for the Green Bay Packers. The Hannula kids will always have fond memories of trips to places like Disney and Hawaii, along with various family trips across the country and camping trips (KOA-Fishtrap Lake near Camp Ripley) growing up.  In fact, Rod had just finished a summer of travel which included trips to MN, WI, MI, TN and the CA Bay Area to see family and friends.

Rod’s love for the Green Bay Packers was passed on to all 5 of his children and grandchildren. “Pack weekends” will never be the same without him but will continue in his memory. Rod was fortunate enough to witness 4 Packer Super Bowl wins during his lifetime with another one expected this 2022-23 season….

In summary, Rod was an amazing, kind, successful and well-respected man, loyal husband, friend, uncle, brother, father and papa who left his mark on this world. Rod’s family and friends will miss him dearly. 

In lieu of flowers, the Hannula family requests donations made in Rod’s name to the Wounded Warriors project:  https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate