Obituary of Rodney Christopher Wilson Jr.

Rodney Christopher Wilson Jr was born in St Paul MN on January 05, 1996 to birth parents Angela Thursdale and Rodney Wilson Sr. He was raised by his guardians Mark and Joanna Hillmann since 2006. Sadly, Rodney unexpectedly passed away on February 11, 2025 at the young age of 29 while living in Waseca MN. Rodney was a little quirky, extremely witty and definitely had a goofy personality. He was a bright light that never quite ‘fit the mold”. Anyone who knew him, knew he was rarely without a smile and was a person who could strike up a conversation with pretty much anyone. He was extremely talented, artistic and was a passionate person who loved and enjoyed spending time with his many friends, family and pets. Rodney’s light will definitely be missed by many.

Rodney was raised in Waseca, MN with his birth mom and her family as a young child until June 2006, when Rodney moved to Cottage Grove MN to live with Joanna and Mark Hillmann In March 2008 Joanna and Mark were granted full legal sole and permanent custody of Rodney and they became known as Rodney’s “mom and dad” and he gained two more sets of grandparents Randy and Sandy Berger and Arnie and Karen Hillmann as well as several more aunts, uncles, family and friends. He attended Armstrong Elementary, Oltman Jr High and graduated from Park Senior High in June of 2014. He enjoyed art classes, Junior Air Force ROTC and choir.

Throughout Rodneys lifetime, he enjoyed spending time with many pets, which included 3 cats (Ozzy, Venus and Zeke) as well as 4 dogs (Maggie, Zoe, Happy and his emotional support dog Taco). When he visited his biological family in Waseca MN, he was always excited to see his grandparents Barb and Wayne Thursdale and his many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends he grew up with there. He always wanted to share what he did and was excited for when he could visit again. Rodney was happy to reconnect with his biological father as well as the rest of the family spending birthdays and holidays with them as well. He was a lucky child who grew into a man who was lucky enough to not only have one set of parents and relatives but two who all loved and will always love him!

Rodney is survived by his “mom and dad” (guardians Joanna and Mark Hillmann), his grandparents Randy Berger and Arnie Hillmann, his birth mother Angela Thursdale, grandma Barb Thursdale, his birth father Rodney Wilson Sr, his sister Lekeshia Jones, in addition to many aunts, uncles, cousins and innumerable friends.

Rodney is preceded in death by his grandmothers Sandy Berger and Karen Hillmann, grandfather Wayne Thursdale and cousin Dakota Shada.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Cremation Society of MN on Saturday March 8, 2025. Visitation will be from 11am -3:00pm at the St Paul Chapel located at 1979 Old Hudson Road, St Paul MN.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for memorial donations to be made to his guardian, Joanna Hillmann or his birth mother Angela Thursdale to help fund his unexpected funeral costs. Any extra memorial donations will be given to a cause near and dear to Rodney.

Please join us for Rodney’s Final Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 28, 2025.