Memorial services for Brad Schilling, 70, of Akaska, will be at 11 AM, Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Akaska Community Center. Brad passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Swan Creek near Akaska. Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements.

Brad (Buckly) Schilling, age 70, tragically passed away on Lake Oahe on Wednesday January 15, 2025. He and his friend, Kent Kramer, both lost their lives that day when they went through the ice. Brad and Kent were recovered on January 23rd due to the courageous efforts of numerous volunteer organizations and individuals.

Brad was born in Mobridge, SD on July 22, 1954, to the late Elmer and Myrtle Schilling. Brad attended Akaska School from Kindergarten to 6th grade and then later graduated from Selby High School in 1972. Upon graduation, he moved to Pierre, SD and worked at Lampert Lumberyard in sales and delivery. In 1973, he married Jackie Chesky and they moved to Mobridge, SD where he worked for Mobridge Plumbing and Heating, then later selling insurance for Provident Life and Badgely Insurance, which was well suited to his outgoing personality.

While he did enjoy insurance sales and meeting so many new people through his work, his two passions were fishing and watching his boys wrestle. He never missed a wrestling match, not once. He was President of the AAU wrestling club for many years and President of the Highschool Wrestling Club as his kids got older. When he wasn't working or chasing his kids on the mats, he was fishing. Brad started out with a homemade pontoon and then graduated to a 1984 Silverline with a 150hp Evinrude. He and his good friend, Al Berens, fished many local tournaments out of that boat and had much success.

While instilling his love of fishing to Chad and Jess, he realized that fishing could be more than a hobby, he thought it may actually pay the bills. Brad turned this hobby into a career and never looked back. He married Laura Sysco in 1997, moved to his family farm, bought a motel in Akaska and started Schilling Outdoor Adventures with his now adult sons. The "adventures" began with mainly fishing, building up his clientele by selling Pro Tackle all over North and South Dakota. Then, with a little encouragement from the boys, he decided to add pheasant hunting to the "adventures" as well. With Brad's larger than life personality and his love of socializing, the business flourished. He even started a new trend in this area of Lake Oahe of guiding out of pontoons instead of boats.

Around 2008, Brad decided that it was time to take a less active role in running the business and simply guide. That is where he shined. On the water, he was the captain of his boat, the teller of tall tales, and his people loved him. It didn't hurt that he could catch fish, too. In the pheasant hunting field, he was the Field Delivery Engineer, Canine Hydrologist and most importantly the "B" Team President. Mr. Dependable in the end, every morning, whether in the field or on the water, he was ready to get a plan for the day. Those mornings were his favorite time to game plan with Chad and to call Jess and see how things were going on the farm. While still guiding but enjoying the simpler life, he met his special friend Rita Cleveland. And since he had more time on his hands, he decided to work part time for Jim Hase of Hase Plumbing, check in on his Mom, Myrtle, everyday in Selby and enjoy his grandchildren. To say those grandkids were his life, is an understatement. They were his whole world. He loved telling people about them. The pride lit up his face when he talked about those kids.

Brad lived his best life, always doing things his way. He was quick to laugh and raise a glass with friends and strangers. Not that they were strangers for long. He loved his family fiercely and we will miss him each and every day. Any time we are on the water or in the field, we will feel his love and laughter shining down on us. RIP Buckly, we've got it from here.

Brad is survived by his son Chad (Shonda) Schilling of Akaska, son Jess (CallieJo) Schilling of Akaska, grandchildren Samantha, Beau, Eli, Raelynn, and Jack Schilling, his sisters Mary (Gerard) Jackson of Selby, SD and Natalie (John) Bishopp of Chicago, IL, brothers Bruce Schilling of Selby, SD, Lynn (Paula) Schilling of Sioux Falls, SD, Kevin (Beth) Schilling of Deadwood, SD, many nieces and nephews, and special friend Rita Cleveland of Akaska, SD. Brad is preceded in death by his mother and father, Elmer and Myrtle Schilling and brother Vince Schilling.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Go Fund Me page set up to support the local and regional volunteer first responders in and around the Akaska area that were crucial in bringing our loved ones home to us and giving us the closure and peace that we greatly needed. https://gofund.me/2a71cd3c

The Memorial Service will be lived streamed on Kesling Funeral Home Facebook page.