Rhonda Tooley, 62, Dickinson, died Friday, September 23, 2022 surrounded by her family at Sanford on Broadway in Fargo. Rhonda’s funeral service will be held 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at Belfield Public School Gymnasium with Pastor Dawn Busch officiating. There will be an immediate family interment following at Belfield Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. with Pastor Dawn Busch officiating. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the school.
Rhonda Lee Solberg was born on January 16, 1960 in Dickinson, the daughter of Thomas and Norvella (Gresz) Solberg. She was raised and educated in Belfield, graduating from Belfield High School in 1978. While in high school, Rhonda was involved in many school activities with cheerleading being one of her favorites. Her time as a cheerleader is where she developed friendships that lasted a lifetime.
She started working at the family business, “Tom’s Service Center”, while in school and continued following her graduation. Here, Rhonda worked with her dad, repairing tires, selling parts and serving the public. Unknown by many, this was part of her “Tom Boy” side. She could be found riding dirt bikes or as legend has it, winning a drag race or two on Villard with her brother’s car or the 73 Firebird that she had restored. She also helped at Southwest Speedway as part of the Tooley Racing pit crew. Rhonda went on to work at Trappers Kettle prior to her marriage to Darrell Tooley on June 15, 1985 at Belfield Lutheran Church. With this marriage, she became a wonderful step-mother to Justin and Laci, and then they had three beautiful daughters, Alexis, Rhonda Brooke and Tori. They were the light of her life.
Rhonda started her own day care after her employment with Trapper’s Kettle. It was here that her true passion in life could be found, working with children. On August 1, 1999 she began working at the Belfield School as a paraprofessional and in 2000, she became the secretary/administrative assistant for the Belfield School, where her passion of working with children continued until the time of her passing.
Rhonda was very active in community events and functions. Her willingness and desire to help others was unsurpassed. She was a wonderful role model for her children and grandchildren, as well as her nieces and nephews and all those she encountered in life. She was a master cake baker and decorator and hosted many parties with delicious foods. Rhonda lived her life to the fullest. She loved her family with all her heart. Her greatest joy came from being a mother and “Nana”.
Rhonda is survived by her husband, Darrell; children, Alexis (Scott) Poswilko, Avon Lake, Ohio, Brooke Tooley, Dickinson, and Tori (Companion, Cole Olson) Tooley, Sentinel Butte; step-children, Justin Tooley, Buckeye, Ariz. and Laci (Brian) Gongwer, Zionsville, Ind.; siblings, Tim (Ame) Solberg, Belfield, Joyce (Dennis) Reisenauer, Belfield, and Ken (LuAnn) Solberg, Belfield; sisters-in-law, Tami Solberg, Williston and Sherry Solberg, Sturgis, SD; grandchildren, Breya Tooley, Paige Poswilko, Gabe Campbell, Gavin Campbell and Kai Tooley; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Jim Solberg and Keith Solberg.
We, in the darkest moments, hoped and prayed for a miracle, a defining moment, a light in the darkness. As our family reflects on Rhonda’s life, the beautiful woman she was inside and out, her heart of gold, her willingness to help others, her love for her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and those at the school, we now realize that Rhonda was our “Miracle.”
“My mind still talks to you, my heart still looks for you, but my soul knows you are at peace.” – Author, unknown
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Belfield Dollars for Scholars.
