Dear family, friends, and Fort Benton and surrounding communities we are sad to announce the great loss of our beloved Rodger Lee Hankins. Rodger had suffered a massive stroke in September 2020.  After his stroke and hospitalization Rodger continued to work hard at his home in Fort Benton, with his devoted daughters, on his rehab and recovery to regain his independence. He passed away at home peacefully on May 26, 2022, from a second stroke.

Rodger was born March 18, 1954 in Great Falls, MT, the third child of seven to John and Barbara Hankins. The early years of Rodger's life were spent in Fort Benton. Around the age of twelve the family moved to the Hankins farm seven miles east of Fort Benton. As early as five years old Rodger had learned to drive a tractor and other equipment on the family farm.  Rodger was known to be an adventurer. He fished the Missouri as a very young boy and later fished the family reservoir. The local hills were a haven of fun searching for fossils and artifacts, sledding during the winter, and conquering and capturing rattlesnakes, scorpions, and horny toads.

Rodger was not afraid to tackle any task.  He was self-taught and motivated. You could title him as a farmer, an entrepreneur, a mechanic, an engineer, a carpenter, a plumber, a communications expert, an inventor, a miner, and a few more....  At the age of 15 he was hired by the city of Fort Benton. At the age of 17 he married Diane Clark, of Geraldine, to which they had two daughters; Christina and Jenifer. He opened a mechanic shop in Geraldine and also did some farming in Geraldine and at the Hankins Family farm which was his true professional love.  He bought a plumbing business from a local plumber in Fort Benton and expanded his business to include a car dealership for a short period. Rodger adventured into the satellite dish business becoming one of the first satellite dealerships in the area. He extended his satellite business into a business relationship with a Great Falls business which further expanded into Rodger purchasing the old Sheffi's Landmark Café building. Here he spent his final business years initially under the title of Landmark Electronics (2004) and later Landmark Wireless LLC (2012). These businesses started as a computer service and store, later adding a wireless internet provider service for rural farming areas including; Loma, Geraldine, Highwood, Carter, Fort Benton and surrounding areas.  Rodger retired Jan 2020 and sold his business to Montana Outback Wireless Inc. who's owner was Broc Miller, Rodgers nephew,  who had worked for Rodger since 2007. Rodger continued to work for Broc on Fridays until his health failed.

Rodgers greatest enjoyment and pleasure was to see his children become successful adults and his grandchildren to excel academically and in extracurricular activities.  He was a devoted family man.  He dearly loved his mother.

Rodger is preceded in death by his father John, sister Maxine Phillips Garcia and nephew J. J. Wendell.  He is survived by daughter Christina  and her husband Keith and their children Andrew and Callum Ballantyne of Fort Benton, MT; daughter Jenifer Cline of Fort Benton, MT and her partner Douglas Longfellow of Townsend, MT and her children Katie and Wyatt Cline and Colby Cline, father of her children of Fort Benton, MT. Along with his mother Barbara Hankins of Fort Benton, MT; his aunt Betty Hankins of Carter, MT; his siblings Dale Hankins of Loma, MT; Marlena Nielsen of Wood Village, OR; Joan (Tony) Rand of Great Falls, MT; Cheryl (Jon) Patterson of Belgrade, MT; John (Susie) Hankins of Fort Benton, MT; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

All are invited to a celebration of Rodgers life on Sunday, June 5, 2022, from 4pm-6pm at the Club House, 1411 Main, Fort Benton.  A buffet will be provided throughout the event.  We will have a memory sharing time around 5pm.  All are welcome and encouraged to join us in sharing your memories of this amazing man. In honoring Rodger's burial wishes there will not be a public burial event. Condolences to the family may be hand delivered or mailed to: Christina & Keith Ballantyne, PO Box 425, Fort Benton MT 59442. Jenifer Cline, PO Box 24, Fort Benton MT. Barbara Hankins PO Box 914, Fort Benton MT. We thank those who have reached out already with your kind words and condolences.