Rodney L. Urban

Rodney L. Urban - hunter, fisherman, farmer, family man - was born September 10, 1955 in Wahoo, to Frank and Marcella (Maly) Urban. He graduated from Bishop Neumann High School in 1973. Growing up in Wahoo, Rod enjoyed trapping, fishing and bowling. He was chosen to represent Wahoo at Cornhusker Boys State. In the early 1970's, he and his brothers helped build the miniature golf course at 15th and Chestnut. Rod spent the summer after graduation installing and servicing center pivot irrigation systems at Hanson Well Service in Ithaca. He then enrolled at the University of Nebraska "� Lincoln. It was at this time that Rod began working for the Burlington Northern Railroad as a Signal Maintainer. He was proud to be a third generation railroader and enjoyed a career that spanned nearly forty years. Rod met Kathy Dau in 1973. They were married in Wahoo on June 19, 1976. Rod liked Cornhusker Football, but was passionate about the University's men's basketball program. As a season ticket holder for a number of years, Rod attended every home game. No game was complete, however, without him getting his fill of Wimmer's Red hot dogs. A plastic bag, filled with his homemade relish and safely nestled inside the breast pocket of his coat, accompanied Rod to every game and made a savory addition to his hot dog feast. Rod's ardent support for Nebraska Men's Basketball could not match his enthusiasm for gardening. Dubbed "psycho-gardener"� by his family, Rod was not satisfied with one garden. Instead, he regularly planted three huge gardens, canned much of the bounty, and donated the rest to the Wahoo Senior Center. Rod especially enjoyed making salsa and awarded each batch a creative and often colorful name. He loved to cook, was an avid outdoorsman, and adored his grandkids. On his farms, he raised rabbits, pigs and pheasants. Rod volunteered as a Hunter's Education Safety Instructor with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. He taught countless young people the art of hunting with a bow and arrow. He also volunteered with exhibitor check-in at the Saunders County Fair. As a member of the Wahoo Jaycees, Rod helped organize and conduct Demolition Derby events. Rod was a Wizard of Oz fanatic and watched the movie every time it came on television. It was not unexpected that Oz characters, in sometimes strange forms, would end up as Christmas and birthday gifts for family and friends. He is survived by wife Kathy of Wahoo; children Kelly (Andy) Goergen of Des Moines, IA, and Neil (Christy) Urban of Wahoo; parents Frank and Marcie Urban of Wahoo; siblings Karen (Mike) Aerni of Fremont, Steve (Cathy) Urban of Lincoln, and Troy (Michelle) Urban of Omaha; grandchildren Madeline Goergen, Ethan and Trevor Urban; nieces and nephews; father-in-law Jack Dau of Wahoo; and sister-in-law Jean Dau of Lincoln. Rod was preceded in death by his mother-in-law Pat Dau and brother-in-law Bob Dau. Casket Bearers will be Rod's nephews Todd Aerni, Ryan Aerni, Jordan Dau, Jon Dau, Kyle Urban and Jake Urban. Makayla Urban, Sara Urban and Jenna Dau, Rod's nieces, are Honorary Casket Bearers. Memorials may be made to the family for a later designation.