Rodney A. Speiss was born May 19, 1949, in Elkhorn, to Donald Leslie and Jeanette Rose (Jones) Speiss. He passed away on Dec. 5, 2020, at Mercy Janesville Hospital.
Rodney, known as The Rodster, grew up in Walworth and resided in Delavan. After graduating from Big Foot High School he served four years in the U.S. Army as part of the helicopter unit and specialized in aircraft maintenance.
Rod started off as an over-the-road semi truck driver and loved driving his kids and nephews around. He was a custom carpenter by trade and everything he made was bigger, badder and better than anything you’d ever seen.
He was the hardest worker and always put his family first. His other passion was riding his Harley Davidson Fat Boy with his wife, Dena. Rod’s favorite place to ride to was Sauk Prairie and participating in the Freedom Ride along with 5,000 other bikers. His dry humor, salty comebacks, infectious laugh and big smile will be missed by all.
He is survived by his wife, Dena Lee (Sowers), whom he married April 9, 1998, in Elkhorn; his stepfather, Harold Lee Nichols; daughters, Penny (John) Paddock, Nickole (Matt) Hanson and Rickie Lee (Allen) Wetzel; grandchildren, Jake Jones, Sawyer Paddock, Holden Paddock, Teejay Hanson and Luke Paddock; his grand-dog, Dutchess; sisters, Arda Hannah and Donella (Ray) Keller; brother, Dennis (Terry) Speiss; stepbrother, Harold Nichols, Jr.; step-sister, Helene Jones; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Pam (Dan) Murphy; stepsister, Pamela Nichols; as well as his brothers-in-law, Ron Ditzenberger and Phil Hannah.
A memorial gathering will take place at Toynton’s Walworth Funeral Home, 328 Kenosha St., Walworth on Saturday, Dec. 12 from noon until the time of military honors at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers memorials to help local veterans may be made to the American Legion Post 102, PO Box 452, Walworth, WI 53184.
