Rodney Keith Schwartz, 64, passed away suddenly at home on May 25, 2023, in Siren, WI.

He was born on March 27, 1959, in Farmington, MN, to his parents Lilian and Alex Schwartz.

Rodney was a lifelong professional painter who was highly regarded in his industry, and well known for his excellence, as evidenced by the multitude of prominent Minnesotans who sought out his work. His work was his passion, and he took great pride in all aspects of his craft.

His nephew Brendan summed up Rodney's life like this "You were there for 99% of the best, funnest, most favorite moments of my life growing up. The barbecues at Nana & Papa's in Eden Prairie, the cabin trips (Lake Hardy, King Lake, etc), picnics at Bryant Lake, the times when you guys would come up to visit us in Lake Superior... (one of my favorite moments being during the 1987 World Series, when you came THUNDERING down the stairs to our basement yelling "Grand Slam! Grand Slam!! He hit a GRAND SLAM!!!" and all of us kids came racing upstairs to see the replay of Kent Hrbek knocking one out of the park)... and all of the summers spent working and learning to paint with you.

You knew how to make every single moment enjoyable, and you made fun of EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON you have ever met. You were blunt, you were honest, you were unflinching, you were caring, and you were generous to a fault. If you only had $3, you would find a way to give away $4.

You were my Godfather. You were an instrumental part of a lot of the greatest memories in my life. And... I can't find a single photo of us together. Not one. I think it is probably just because we spent most of our time together out having fun, and not posing for photos.

Thank you for all the laughs, for all the fun, for all the trips to Dairy Queen, and for everything you did that always made us feel so special ... You made every get-together better, and it was never a party until you arrived."

Rodney was preceded in death by his parents, Lillian Renz Schwartz and Alex Schwartz.

Rodney is survived by his wife of 45 years, Gwendolyn "Gwen", his sons, Adam Schwartz and Nathaniel Schwartz; 4 grandchildren; and his siblings, Dwight, Joyce, Alex (Joe), Gary, Caroline, Diane, Kathy, Chris, and many nieces and nephews.

A service to honor Rodney's life will be held at a later date.

Last Update: May 31, 2023 6:07 pm CDT