Rodney D. Hildahl

Rodney Dean Hildahl: a man of faith, craftsmanship, and artistic expression, entered into eternal rest on May 29, 2026.

Born on February 27, 1942, to Mr. and Mrs. Louis and Ann Hildahl, Rodney grew up with a natural curiosity and a gentle spirit that would define his life’s journey. He graduated from Clarkfield, MN High School, where he and his siblings learned about hard work and integrity both on the farm and within their community. Rodney went on to pursue further education at both South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD and at Northwestern Bible College, in St Paul, MN.

On October 21, 1966, Rodney married Kathleen (Kathy) Lappi – his bride for just shy of 60 years. Early in their marriage, they served as missionaries to native Alaskans on the Kenai Peninsula, where Rodney used his carpentry skills to help build homes while the couple shared their faith in Jesus the Christ. After their time in Alaska they moved to Mazeppa, MN before ultimately settling in Boyceville, WI; where Rodney worked for many years as a carpenter and home builder.

Rodney loved to visit and many of his customers became life-long friends. Prior to his retirement, Rodney had the opportunity to teach as an instructor in the construction program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. These were some of his happiest years and he enjoyed sharing his learned experiences with tomorrow’s generation of builders. As was so typical of who he was, Rodney took many of his students under his wing, befriending them and offering them the opportunity to get out of the dorm for some time in the country and one of Kathy’s home-cooked meals. As a result, many of his students remain his friends to this day.

Rodney was a true Renaissance man blessed with creativity and talents that included: guitar, voice, acting, and a passion for threshing bees and farming implements from yesteryear. He also possessed a rich, resonant bass voice that brought joy to many and he frequently graced the stage of the historic Mabel Tainter Theater in local musical productions, where he left a lasting impression on the Menomonie community he so loved. Music would remain a constant companion throughout his life, and he would often be found playing his guitar for family and friends while accompanying his chord-strumming with his trademark mixture of singing and whistling.

Rodney was a talented artist who loved to preserve the nostalgia of historical Menomonie on canvas. He proudly and generously shared his artwork with family, friends, and anyone who showed an interest in his craft and would gladly expound on the history behind the buildings he so loved to restore to their original appearance with his pencils.

Rodney’s deep capacity for kindness extended to the animal kingdom as well. Nearly all his pets were adopted strays in need of a warm home on a cold winter night. Most recently this included a special cat named Ranger. While it is not certain who adopted whom, it is a fact that Rodney refused to leave his home for better care upon learning of his terminal health diagnosis because he did not want anything to happen to Ranger during the winter months of 2026. This was the man who Rodney was -- students, cats, neighbors, friends – all came first in his life, and he was most alive when sharing his life with all who would let him.

LEFT TO CHERISH HIS MEMORY: His beloved wife, Kathy; his son, Jade and his daughter-in-law, Auna; his cherished grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Jacob, Mark, Gabbie, and Sophia; his brother, Marvin and his wife Joann; his sister, Joyce; a wealth of nieces, nephews, and extended family members; and many, many dear friends.

PRECEDED IN DEATH BY: His father Louis Anton Hildahl, his mother Ann Emily Spletter Hildahl, his sister Jean Hildahl, his sister Marjorie Kittleson, his brother Leroy, and his brother Howard.

Pallbearers:

· Eldon Burstad

· David Hildahl

· Jade Hildahl

· Marvin Hildahl (Honorary)

· Steve Kittleson (Honorary)

· John Mattern

· Herb Maves (Honorary)

· Hans Timper

· Walter Schultz (Honorary)

· Kevin Vasey (Honorary)

Funeral Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 6th, 2026 at Menomonie Alliance Church in Menomonie, WI. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Menomonie, WI.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com