Rodney Fred Shelton was born in Gregory, SD on July 12, 1939, the only child of Fred and Ileen (Ludemann) Shelton. His early childhood was spent attending country schools in Keya Paha County and he graduated from Springview High School in 1957. He worked in Wyoming for several years before joining the Army in 1962. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, and was discharged in 1965. He was married to Ella Mae Pedersen from 1969 to 1987 and to this union a daughter, Angela, was born in 1971, and settled in Ainsworth, NE in 1975. Rodney then was married to Betty Joseph from 1992 to 2007, and lastly married Diana Lee in 2008. Rodney worked for several years at multiple different types of jobs, from building irrigations systems, farming, fertilizer applicator, and building corrals at Ainsworth Feed Yards where he retired from. Hobbies that he enjoyed were woodworking, puzzles, reading and taking his trike for a cruise.

Rodney passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at the Brown County Hospital in Ainsworth at the age of 86 years.

Rodney was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Ileen Shelton; and spouses, Ella Mae Shelton and Betty Shelton. Those left to mourn his passing are his wife, Diana Shelton; daughter, Angela and husband, Mike Hempel; his grandchildren; Sabrina Le and husband, Derick, Seth Hempel and significant other, Macy Doggett, and Stephanie Hempel; a sister-in-law, Anita Shields and husband, Marv; and brother-in-law, Gene Joseph and wife, Karen; along with nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Graveside Service was held on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at the Olive Branch Cemetery at Mills, NE with Pastor Tim Wyrick officiating at the event. Military Honors were conducted by Ainsworth American Legion Post #79. Casketbearers were: Scott Haskell, Johnathan Seidel, Joel Wentworth, John Seidel, Karl Connell and Kevin Connell. Honorary Casketbearers were: Mike Hempel, Seth Hempel, Gary Ludemann, Chad Ludemann, Roger Wentworth and Jim Haskell. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ainsworth Public Library in Rodney’s name. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.