Gary DeVern Rodene

Born March 28, 1944  -   September 18, 2021 Gary, at age 77, died peacefully in the late evening of Saturday the 18th, at the Josie Harper Hospice House. He was born in Denver, Colorado. After his father's service in the Army Air Corp in China. his father rejoined the family where they settled in their home town of Osceola, Nebraska.  Gary graduated from Osceola High School in 1962. Gary attended St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Midlands College where he earned a BA in administration, afterwards he joined the Air Force for 2 years where he was stationed in Cheyenne, Wyoming at F. E. Warren Air Force Base.  He then settled in Omaha where he met his wife, Nancy in 1975 on a canoe trip, they were married in 1977.   Gary retired after working 40+ years for various construction firms as their accountant.  He was a longtime lover of nature and spent as much time as he could camping, canoeing, hiking, cross country skiing, and lodging in various Nebraska state parks with family and friends: as well as traveling to many Western national parks, often within the Rocky Mountain Range.  He was a long-time antique toy collector and dealer, as well as an avid WW II buff. Gary enjoyed supporting his favorite sports teams throughout the years. He loved attending the College World Series games at Rosenblatt Stadium where he had season tickets for years. In more recent years he and Nancy were fortunate enough to be able fly to Melbourne, Florida to spend a couple truly enjoyable Christmases there with her whole family.  Gary was able to attend his 50th and 55th class reunions in Osceola and so enjoyed reuniting with his classmates then. He will be there in spirit for the 60th. We feel truly blessed for the 8 more years given to Gary after his serious heart surgery in 2013. Preceded in death by parents, Mary and DeVern Rodene and sister Kathy Bourke.  Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Nancy of 44 years, his 2 brothers Kent and Tom ; sisters-in-law, Sue Verburg, Cindy Wenninger and Ann Stergiou; brother-in-law, Steve Kessinger, as well as aunts and uncles, many nieces, nephews, cousins and other dear friends. A celebration of life will be held at Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church 2650 Farnam St. Omaha, NE. 68131, on Thursday, September 30 visitation from 10:00 -11:00 AM, with the funeral following at 11:00 AM.  A light lunch will follow the funeral at the church. A later Celebration of Life will be held later in his hometown of Osceola, Nebraska on Saturday, November 6 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church at 531 S. Polk St.  Osceola, Nebraska, from 1-3 on Saturday, November 6th.  A private family burial at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials can be designated in honor of Gary  to  Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church or to a American veterans project. Roeder Mortuary 108th Chapel 2727 N 108th Street Omaha, NE 402-496-9000 www.roedermortuary.com