A private graveside service will be held for the family at a later date.

     RODNEY D. ROYTEK, age 85, of Thorp, WI, passed away at his home on Friday, September 25, 2026, peacefully surrounded by his loving wife of 65 years and his family.  A private graveside service for the family will be held at a later date in East Thorp Cemetery.

     Rodney Dean Roytek was born on April 4, 1941 in Stanley, WI, to Chester B. and Mildred N. (Schultz) Roytek.  He was raised and received his education in Stanley, graduating from Stanley High School in 1959.  After high school, Rod worked on the Soo Line Railroad for a short time, before moving to Neenah, WI where he worked in the papermill as a printer.  He was united in marriage to Charlene Wellsandt on August 12, 1961 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Boyd, WI.  They bought a farm west of Thorp, where they farmed, and Rod also worked as a printer for ITT Thorp Finance.  In 1971, they purchased a farm northeast of Thorp, and farmed full-time until retiring in 2006.  Rod then went to work as a pipe cutter for Thorp Barn Equipment, and was a relief driver for Meals-on-Wheels.

     He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thorp, previously served on the board for Midland Farmers Cooperative, and was proud to have one of his Holsteins in the Clark Cavelcade Magazine.

     Rod had many interests, but especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends, fishing, hunting deer and turkey, 4-wheeling, being outdoors, woodworking, and playing accordion.

     He will be dearly missed by his wife, Charlene, of Thorp; his children: Bruce (Terri) Roytek of Holcombe, WI, Julie (Deron) Underdahl of Thorp, Carey (Gary) Haas of Thorp, Corrie (Teresa) Roytek of Somerset, WI, and Carmen (Nathan) Haas of Stanley, WI; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Gordon (Sue) Roytek of Chippewa Falls, WI, and Arnold (Joanne) Roytek of Cadott, WI; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

     Rod was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Tyler Rodney Roytek; and his son-in-law, David Tieman.