Rory D. Anderlik

Rory will be taken back to his birthplace of South Dakota for visitation, services, and burial at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Rory Derek Anderlik was born on December 8, 1988, to Jeffrey and Delores (Ten Fingers) Anderlik in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. 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 which was filled with love for his family and friends. Growing up, Rory enjoyed summer camps and church trips at Red Shirt Table, South Dakota. 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, Georgia on September 4, 2008. In December of 2008, Rory was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, where he became part of Charlie Company, 1-12 Infantry Regiment. One year later Rory deployed to Kunar Province, Afghanistan in 2009-2010, where he saw heavy action as light infantry fire team leader, and again in March-December of 2012 to the Kandahar Province, of Afghanistan 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 with 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. 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. He 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". Rory had a contagious laugh and smile. He was mischievous and loved to joke; he was extremely intense and competitive about his passions. He always found a way to get out the most difficult of situations, with what seemed like ease and finesse 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 is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Richard Sr. Ten Fingers and Florence Ten Fingers (Two Bulls) and paternal grandfather Harold Anderlik and many aunts, uncles and cousins from both sides.

​COPYRIGHT 2023 BY NEWS 8 NOW/NEWS 8000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.