Cooperative Community
Mourns Passing of Nilsestuen
 On behalf of Cooperative Network, President and CEO Bill Oemichen issued the following statement on the passing of Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Rod Nilsestuen, who died yesterday July 21, 2010:
The State of Wisconsin and the cooperative business movement nationwide have lost a leader whose contributions will live on through the people and institutions grown and strengthened by his work.
It would be hard to name an individual more responsible than Rod Nilsestuen for the vision and focus that have energized and unified cooperatives in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The member co-ops of Cooperative Network and their member-owners have all benefited from his single-minded commitment. And yet, when the time came to take credit for the achievements of these vibrant enterprises, Rod would always position himself at the back of the line, not the front.
A humble man with much to be proud of, it was characteristic of Rod’s unselfishness that he lost his life in the service of others. There is no doubt that those of us who knew and worked with him will always remember him in that way.
Carol Nilsestuen and their three sons are certainly in our thoughts and prayers.
Among Nilsestuen’s many accomplishments as a cooperative leader in Wisconsin and nationally:
- Then-Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives (currently Cooperative Network) Cooperative Builder Award Winner in 2007
- National Cooperative Hall of Fame inductee in 2003
- Founding chair of the National Rural Cooperative Development Task Force
- Led the unification of the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives and Minnesota Association of Cooperatives which began in 1998, and was finalized in 2004. The organization became Cooperative Network in 2009.
- Helped create the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, the Wisconsin Corn Promotion and Soybean Marketing Boards, Cooperative Development Services, the Center for Dairy Profitability, Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program, and the Midwest Dairy Marketing Initiative.
PRESS LINKS
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Rod Nilsestuen Memorial Fund, c/o the Nilsestuen Family, 329 South Street, De Forest, WI 53532. Proceeds will be donated to charities close to Rod's heart. |
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