February 2, 1960 – May 15, 2023
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of the beloved Rod Shelstad on May 15, 2023, at the age of 63. Rod is survived by his siblings Rick (Judy), Ron (Anita), Carol, Brenda and Randy, 13 nieces and nephews, 16 great nieces and nephews, and many friends including Dale (Brenda) Oleshko.
Rod and his siblings were given nicknames by their father Norris as kids. While some easily shed their names as they grew older, Rod, looking like a mini version of Norris, was forever lovingly known as Shorty to his family.
Shorty was a lovable kid, all his siblings’ friends liked him and never minded if he tagged along. As he got older, he developed a phenomenal sense of direction, and his brothers and sisters could never get him lost. He loved sports, cars and was always up to date on current events.
Although he never had kids of his own, Shorty was an uncle… THE uncle. Somehow, he was able to make time for each of his 13 nieces and nephews. He never bought gifts, memories were his currency, from skiing and hockey games to trips to Fernie with his friend Dale and his family, he was the uncle that would show up to your sports games or performances and seeing him in the crowd made you stand a little taller.
Uncle Shorty dreamed that for one of us, our first words would be “GO FLAMES GO!”. As hard as he tried, it never happened, but he made sure that each one of us was a Flames fan and knew that Lanny McDonald was a legend. Little did he know that to all of us, Uncle Shorty was the true legend.
A journeyman electrician by trade, Shorty had many skills and loved to help on projects. Whenever his family and friends needed help or advice, he was their first call. He loved it. The opportunity to share his knowledge, teach someone something new, and visit with the ones he cared about, meant the world to him. While he was always there to help, he would never do it for you. Brother, sister, niece, or nephew alike were always expected to take part and learn so they could one day do it themselves. There was nothing more rewarding than hearing him say “Good job Kid” after completing a project.
Uncle Shorty always had a story and seemed to constantly prove the seven degrees of separation rule everywhere he went.
While the loss of Shorty will be felt by all that knew him, the memories he created, skills he taught, and traits he passed on, continue to live on, as his nieces and nephews have learned how to be the Uncle Shorty to their nieces and nephews.
If you would like, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation can be made in Rod (Shorty)’s name.
A celebration of life will be held for Rod at a later date. For more information, please contact Amparo Shelstad.
Arrangements entrusted to Alison Van Arnam, Funeral Director
Cochrane Country Funeral Home – cochrane@piersons.ca 403-932-1039 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rod (Shorty) Shelstad, please visit our flower store.
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of the beloved Rod Shelstad on May 15, 2023, at the age of 63. Rod is survived by his siblings Rick (Judy), Ron (Anita), Carol, Brenda and Randy, 13 nieces and nephews, 16 great nieces and nephews, and many friends including Dale (Brenda) Oleshko.
Rod and his siblings were given nicknames by their father Norris as kids. While some easily shed their names as they grew older, Rod, looking like a mini version of Norris, was forever lovingly known as Shorty to his family.
Shorty was a lovable kid, all his siblings’ friends liked him and never minded if he tagged along. As he got older, he developed a phenomenal sense of direction, and his brothers and sisters could never get him lost. He loved sports, cars and was always up to date on current events.
Although he never had kids of his own, Shorty was an uncle… THE uncle. Somehow, he was able to make time for each of his 13 nieces and nephews. He never bought gifts, memories were his currency, from skiing and hockey games to trips to Fernie with his friend Dale and his family, he was the uncle that would show up to your sports games or performances and seeing him in the crowd made you stand a little taller.
Uncle Shorty dreamed that for one of us, our first words would be “GO FLAMES GO!”. As hard as he tried, it never happened, but he made sure that each one of us was a Flames fan and knew that Lanny McDonald was a legend. Little did he know that to all of us, Uncle Shorty was the true legend.
A journeyman electrician by trade, Shorty had many skills and loved to help on projects. Whenever his family and friends needed help or advice, he was their first call. He loved it. The opportunity to share his knowledge, teach someone something new, and visit with the ones he cared about, meant the world to him. While he was always there to help, he would never do it for you. Brother, sister, niece, or nephew alike were always expected to take part and learn so they could one day do it themselves. There was nothing more rewarding than hearing him say “Good job Kid” after completing a project.
Uncle Shorty always had a story and seemed to constantly prove the seven degrees of separation rule everywhere he went.
While the loss of Shorty will be felt by all that knew him, the memories he created, skills he taught, and traits he passed on, continue to live on, as his nieces and nephews have learned how to be the Uncle Shorty to their nieces and nephews.
If you would like, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation can be made in Rod (Shorty)’s name.
A celebration of life will be held for Rod at a later date. For more information, please contact Amparo Shelstad.
Arrangements entrusted to Alison Van Arnam, Funeral Director
Cochrane Country Funeral Home – cochrane@piersons.ca 403-932-1039 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rod (Shorty) Shelstad, please visit our flower store.
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