Rodney Shilts 01/16/2025

Rodney Gerald Shilts passed away unexpectedly, aged 61, on 16 January 2025.
Born in October 1963, Rod was blessed with the Shilts character of living life fast and with adventure. As a kid and teenager, he was rambunctious and always causing trouble which usually involved cars and speeding. Rod served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in the early 80s. He then met his first wife, Julie, and had two kids, Jake and Emily.
He loved his motorcycle, snowmobile, and would drive anything that let him speed while listening to some 80s classic rock. Rod was an avid outdoorsman with a particular love of fishing and hunting. He took any opportunity to share his love of the outdoors with anyone willing, and he especially cherished summer weekends camping and boating with his wife, Lou.
Rod valued loyalty to his family and friends above all else. He was always willing to have a beer and a good laugh with his friends, both lifelong and new. And in a demonstration of his true character, Rod always made sure to check in on neighbors after thunderstorms or snowstorms to make sure they were okay, and cleared snow or trees. He was reliable, loyal, and caring and will be a greatly missed son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
Rod is survived by both of his parents, Gerald and Eunice, his sisters, Cindy Shilts (Kevin Brehm & Jessica Geis-Boni), and Trisha Oswald (Steve & Thomas), his son, Jake, granddaughter, Olivia, daughter Emily Anastasia (Frank), stepson Derek (Alyshia), stepson Nick (Reese), and his wife, Lou.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.