Rodney L. Oberle

Rodney Lloyd Oberle (80 years old) passed away suddenly on April 8^th at his home in Gretna Nebraska due to a heart condition. He was born on January 17, 1943 in Omaha Nebraska. Rod was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Louise (Kaatz) Oberle and his brother David Oberle. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Beverly, his two sisters Roxanne (Michael) Weideman and Sherry Patton, his children Michael Oberle and Lynn (Jeffrey) Roy and his four grandchildren Grace, Emerson, Braydon and Addison, whom he deeply adored.

Rod was raised in Beatrice Nebraska and graduated from Beatrice High School in 1961 as an accomplished gymnast. He immediately served a tour of duty in the U.S. Army. Upon exiting the Army, Rod attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. There, Rod met his wife, Beverly, and they were blissfully married August 6, 1966. In 1979, they moved from Omaha to Gretna where they raised their two children and gardened their acreage for 40 years growing and selling a variety of fruits and vegetables through their hobby farm Oberle’s Garden.  They built lasting friendships with their many repeat customers who came to buy sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, apples, pears and other locally grown produce. Rod will always be remembered for his true joy of gardening the land and providing for the local community.

Rod was the Human Resources Director at the University of Nebraska Omaha for 35 years. While employed at the University, he received the following awards: Board of Regents Accommodation (1985), Athletic Department Award of Excellence (1986 & 1987), Chancellors Medal, the highest award that can be given to a university employee (1992), Educational Office Personnel Association Award (1997), Staff Advisory Council Appreciation Award (1999), Chancellors Club Award (2002).

During his tenure as Human Resources Director, Rod served as a member of the College and University Personnel Association (CUPA). He published numerous articles in their magazine, The CUPA Journal, and was a frequent speaker and seminar leader at their regional and national conferences. He received the following awards from CUPA: Achievement Award for Research (1985 & 1987), Certificate of Appreciation (1988, 1989, 1992), Midwest Region Outstanding Service Award (1990), Appreciation Award as Chair, Midwest Region (1993).

Rod was a member of the Gretna American Legion Post 216 and VFW Post 10725, and was also active in various organizations including the Gretna Optimist and the UNO Alumni Association where he served as Chairman of the Board in 2008. He received the following civic awards: Optimist Presidential Award (1985), Optimist of the Year (1986), Optimist Lieutenant Governor Award (1987), Optimist New Club Building Award (1988), United Way of the Midlands Award.

Rod was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for his neighborhood, Sarpy Heights, for 20 years.  He also served as Grade 4 Water Operator for the Sarpy Heights SID. No matter the situation, Rod could always be counted on to help neighbors when in need.

Rod will also be fondly remembered by his grandchildren for his “roller coaster” Gator rides around the acreage and his witty sense of humor. We will miss finding him in the summer rows of sweet corn wearing his gardening hat and Oberle’s Garden shirt with a welcoming smile. His love for Nebraska Huskers ran deep and kept him busy when he wasn’t gardening. He touched the lives of many, both directly and indirectly, and will be missed by all who knew him.

VISITATION: Sunday, 3-5pm, at Roeder Mortuary, 11710 Standing Stone Dr. FUNERAL SERVICE: Monday, April 17, 2023, 10:30am, at Gretna United Methodist Church, 11457 S 204th St. followed by a luncheon at church. Interment will be at Eagle Cemetery in Eagle, NE at 1:30pm. Military Honors provided by Gretna American Legion Post 216 and VFW Post 10725. In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to the UNO Alumni Association www.https://unoalumni.org/ or the Loeys-Dietz Foundation in Rod’s name https://www.loeysdietz.org/