Rodney "Rod" Eckroth

Rodney “Rod” Eckroth, full of life for 70 years, passed away suddenly on November 6, 2025.

Rod was born to Alex and Judy Eckroth in Mandan on May 7, 1955. Alex passed on when Rod was very young. A few years later Jake Eckroth married Judy and was Rod’s dad from then on. They moved to Bismarck where Rod attended school until he graduated from Bismarck High in 1974. He met Ellen Dahl, the love of his life while floating down the river on ice chunks in 1973. He knew she would be his forever. They got married in 1976 and their son Daniel was born in 1977.

He was so very creative, from his wood carvings and rock art to his storytelling and salesmanship (including donuts of course), which he put to use selling bearings and conveyor components. Later when he decided to sell something fun Rod went to work at Acme Tools.

Rod loved cruising in his Alfa Romeros and was living his dream when they moved to their “little piece of heaven” on the river in 2005.

Rod loved his family and friends and they love him. He lived life to the fullest being the “Dad” of the group because he was always the man with the plan. Rod shared his love of the outdoors through canoeing, camping, boating, hunting, skiing, and travelling. (especially to Mismaloya, Mexico) with anybody that wanted to join them.

He loved being a dad to Dan and all the buddies and cousins and being a grandpa to Alyssa, Bridger, Casey, Aaron, Skyler, Tanner, Kelton, Jess, Beth and Bubba. He will be dearly missed by all.

There will be a Celebration of Life starting at 2:00 PM, Saturday, November 15th at Rod and Ellen’s house.