Rory Anderlik

Funeral services with Military Roll Call for 34-year old Rory Anderlik are Monday, March 20, 2023 at 11:00 at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church in Rapid City, SD, with Deacon Reverend Twila Two Bulls officiating.

Burial follows at 1:30 at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis.

A one-night wake service starts Sunday, March 19, at 4:00 at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church in Rapid City.

Online condolences may be left at siouxfuneralhome.com

Rory Derek Anderlik was born on December 8, 1988, in Pine Ridge, South Dakota to Jeffrey and Delores (Ten Fingers) Anderlik. He died on Thursday, March 9, 2023 near Racine, MN.

Rory grew up quickly; he was walking by 9 months of age and was on the move ever since. He was a daring little boy with a huge personality who had an equally huge heart filled with love for his family and friends. 

Growing up, Rory enjoyed summer camps and church trips at Red Shirt Table, SD. He loved fishing with his dad (Até), going out shopping with his mom (Ina), hiking with his siblings, and playing video games with his friends. He graduated from Waynesville High School in Missouri with the class of 2007.

One year later, he enlisted into the United States Army as an infantryman and began basic training at Fort Benning, GA, on September 4, 2008. That December, Rory was stationed at Fort Carson, CO, where he became part of Charlie Company, 1-12 Infantry Regiment. A year later, Rory deployed to Kunar Province, Afghanistan’

He saw heavy action as a light infantry fire team leader in 2009-2010 and again in March-December 2012 in Kandahar Province with Delta Company, 2-12 Infantry Regiment as a Machine Gunner. Rory then spent his remaining 2 years of service stateside at Fort Carson, where he was honorably discharged on May 14, 2014. 

After his service in the military, Rory began a career at the Denver Performing Arts Center in Denver, CO, where he became a Supervisor of over 17 employees while actively pursuing his Bachelors of Arts in Business Management at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Rory had been battling health problems he sustained during combat, which led into his body going into renal failure in 2019. He decided to quit his job and focus on his health and education.

One year later, he decided to move back to Riceville with his father and began dialysis in Rochester, MN.  Rory stayed fiercely independent, hopeful and some might even say stubborn.

He remained adamant about driving himself to and from dialysis every other day first to Rochester, then switching to Decorah, sometimes being so tired he had to pull over and take naps wherever he could, until he gained the energy to finally finish the drive home. 

Even though he had been battling with his physical and mental scars, he always suffered in silence, never wanting to put a burden on anyone; he always kept a smile on his face, no matter how tired he was.

Rory loved meeting and socializing with people and he never let kidney failure slow him down. He had a great sense of humor, and oftentimes used it to lighten up a serious situation. 

Rory loved spending time with his friends and family, often treating them to huge meals in what he liked to call “chef’n up”. He had a contagious laugh and smile which he used a lot because was mischievous and loved to joke.

Rory was extremely intense and competitive about his passions, but always found a way to get out the most difficult of situations with what seemed like ease and finesse by using his charismatic personality.

Even though his time with us was cut way too short, he lived a life packed full of memories and adventures. He was truly loved by all who knew him.

Rory is survived by his mother Delores “Dee” Ten Fingers-Anderlik of St Robert, MO; father Jeffrey Anderlik of Riceville, IA; brother Garrett (Amanda) Anderlik of Colorado Springs, CO and their daughter Amaya Anderlik; sister Randi Anderlik of Lawrence, KS; paternal grandmother Millie Anderlik of Cresco, IA; maternal aunts Sherri Ten Fingers, Denyse Ten Fingers, and Wanda Ten Fingers; maternal uncles Richard Ten Fingers Jr (Sheryl), Ronald Ten Fingers (Connie), Anthony Ten Fingers and Clayton Ten Fingers (Melanie); paternal aunt Jean (Bruce) Smith; paternal uncle Jerry Anderlik; and many cousins who held a special place in his heart.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Richard Ten Fingers Sr and Florence (Two Bulls) Ten Fingers; paternal grandfather Harold Anderlik; and many aunts, uncles and cousins from both sides.

Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD