Entered his heavenly home on January 17, 2023 after a long battle with Cancer and other complications.
Rodney was born July 13, 1964 to Ivan & June Grotjahn (nee Rieck) and brother to 4 siblings: Debbie, Greg, Jeff, & Myra. Born on the same day as his oldest brother Greg, Greg was told that Rodney was his birthday present.
Rodney was baptized and confirmed Bethany Lutheran Church. He attended Bethany Lutheran Elementary, Burleigh Jr High, and Graduated from Brookfield East High School.
Rodney befriended “The Olsen Family” he loved their family as well, Carl, Stella, Sarah, Charlie, Carmen & her children, Renee, and Tasha whom he felt like a 2nd father to.
Rodney had many jobs in his lifetime: He worked for Trek Bicycle, Chicago Tube & Iron, Mr. P’s Tire shop, he worked with Friends; Pat on water wells (installing pumps and treating wells) and Billie doing lawncare & landscaping, and helped numerous friends with car repairs.
Rodney’s enjoyed going to Olsen’s to watch, the show Survivor, “his” dogs Izzie, Tattoo, & Scrappy, sitting on patio with a beer watching wildlife and caring for his befriended racoon, visiting his friend Mark Weber, and just joking with family & friends. Rodney liked watching regular antennae TV & METV mostly shows like The Bob Newhart Show, Andy Griffith, Love Boat, Pawn Stars, Storage Wars, American Pickers & YouTube clips.
Preceded in death by his mother, June Grotjahn (nee Rieck), brother, Greg, and sister-in-Law, Lori. Rodney is survived by his father, Ivan, siblings: Deborah (Paul McDowell), Jeffrey, and Myra (Charles Kingstad), Nephews & Nieces: Paul, Melissa, Danielle, Gage, Michael, Patrick, & Chrystal, Step-Niece Kerri Klarner, (2) great Nieces Natalie & Annie and (2) great Nephews: Maverick & Asher.
Rodney’s family would like to thank the ProHealth Care Cancer Center Pewaukee team (a special Thanks to Gretchen, Alissa (Troubles 1 & 2), Lindsey & Sherri) along with the so many others for all their caring & kind support, as well as those who took extra time to help lift his spirits by joking and laughing with him. He expressed gratitude for individuals & churches that prayed for him.
Thank You to Brookfield Lutheran Church for coming to his bedside to share the word of God with Rodney during his final days.
A Funeral service will be held at Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home (10121 W. North Ave Wauwatosa, WI 53226) on Thursday, January 26, 2023 from 3PM until time of service at 4PM. A private family burial will be held at Nelson Cemetery in Nelson, WI.
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