Anderson Funeral Home
Homeserving families for over 70 years
312 South Stone St.
Augusta, WI 54722
715-286-2222
Rodney Kolpien
Rodney P. Kolpien, 69, of rural Augusta, passed away Monday morning, April 7, 2014 at the Select Specialty Hospital in Madison.
Rodney Phillip Kolpien, son of Otto and Vera (Smith) Kolpien was born March 2, 1945 in Chippewa Falls. He was raised in Chippewa Falls were he attended grade and high school. Rod was united in marriage to Betty Krueger in the early 1960’s, and to this union 6 children were born. Rod had lived all of his life in Eau Claire and Chippewa counties except for a living in New Castle, Wyoming for a couple of years. On June 4, 1999 he married Jo (Francel) Pettis at Grace Lutheran Church in Augusta. The couple lived all their married life in rural Bridge Creek Township, south of Augusta. Rod drove semi for 10 years and for over 25 years owned and operated the Road Haus Café in Augusta, later changing the name to Hungry Hunter’s. His real passion and for most of his life he worked in the landscaping business. He currently operated J and R Landscaping. He especially loved cutting and trimming trees, working the soil and hauling landscaping material. Rod loved to work outdoors but did look forward to the annual deer hunts with his family and friends, driving around to spot deer or sitting at Mike’s watching them in the back yard. He also looked forward to the Green Bay Packer season and playing pool. For many years he partnered with Dave Balliett, shooting pool for Country Dave’s and Buddha’s in Augusta. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends and through the years was so thoughtful and caring when helping Jo with Daren and Carey.
He will be forever remembered and deeply missed by his wife, Jo of Augusta; 4 sons, Jeffrey Kolpien of Beloit, Rodney Kolpien Jr. (Cheryl Solberg), Michael Kolpien all of Augusta, Jerry Kolpien of Eau Claire; daughter, Jodi (Randy) Groonwald of Hartford; 5 step children, Shari (Tilman Jr. ) Newgard, Kevin Pettis, Carey Pettis all of Augusta, Staci (Bradley) Bills of Fountain, CO, Jason (Tonia) Pettis of Stevens Point; 18 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren; 2 brothers, Otto Richard (Maureen) Kolpien of Chetek, Denny (Sandy) Kolpien of Chippewa Falls; 3 sisters, Irene Dahm of Yakima, WA, Diana (Don) Proulx of Chippewa Falls, Charlene Kolpien of Apache Junction, AZ; aunts and uncles, Henry and Flora Kolpien, Odetta Bresina, Loretta Pecha, Lucky Smith; his canine companions, Buffy and Xena; other relatives and many friends.
Rod was preceded in death by his parents, son James Kolpien, sisters, Lorraine Kolpien, Pearl Bauer and step son, Daren Pettis.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the Assembly of God Church with burial in the West Lawn Cemetery, both in Augusta. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta, and one hour prior to services Saturday at the church.
