Rodney Skifstad 03/20/2024

Rodney Allen Skifstad, 74, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN.

Rod was born in New Richmond, WI on September 20, 1949 to Helen and Archie Skifstad. Rod grew up in Star Prairie, WI on the family farm and graduated from Osceola High School in 1967. On May 25, 1974, he married Sheila Kittel. Together, they built their home on the farm where they raised their children.

Rod began working at a young age on the family farm. He held a few jobs including, Utgaard’s Hatchery, Cody’s Conoco (where he met Sheila), Sterling Refrigeration, Andersen Windows and eventually landed at St. Croix Press in New Richmond, WI working as a Bindery Supervisor. He retired in 2012 after 40+ years.

Rod spent his entire life in Star Prairie, WI where he raised his two children, grew gardens full of cucumbers and tomatoes and found his love of cutting, splitting and burning wood for heat. Rod was a creature of habit. He had a meticulous routine that family could set their clocks by. He had a love for red machinery. He loved pulling his Farmall B and attending local tractor pulls. It was tradition to walk through the Almelund Threshing Show every year and collect a wooden shingle. Rod was well known for his generosity and sense of humor. He loved to buy and enjoy drinks with family and friends at events, made certain you were never hungry and always found a way to make you laugh.

Rod took the most pride in his role as a grandpa. He enjoyed his time driving his grandchildren around on his golf cart, attending softball games and dance recitals and filling them full of sugar and sending them home. They all held such a special place in his heart.

Rod will be deeply missed by his son, Chad (Tressa) Skifstad; grandchildren, McKenna, Wyatt and Rhett Skifstad; sisters, Joanne (Richard Kasper) Fletch, Sharon Ross; brother, Dennis (Linda) Skifstad. He also leaves behind many additional extended family members and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Helen Skifstad; wife, Sheila Skifstad; and daughter, Sara Skifstad.

A memorial service for Rod was held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 11:00AM at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (728 S Knowles Ave)  New Richmond, Wisconsin, with visitation at 9:00AM.

Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.