Rodney Lee Harder

On January 13, 2023, Rodney Harder, 57, went home to be with his Lord after a ten-year battle with cancer.   He defied the rules of cancer and showed it who the boss was!

He was born October 5, 1965, in Omaha, Nebraska, to William and Gloria (Clapp) Harder - the fifth of six children.

On August 10, 2013, he married his love Kimberly Kuszak and became a “bonus” Dad to stepson Kusz Kinen.  Rodney was a great stepdad to Kusz.    Rodney was proud to be his “bonus dad” and loved him beyond words!    His determination to watch Kusz graduate from high school pushed him every day!

He is preceded in death by his father, William Harder; and brother Ron Harder.

He is survived by his wife Kimberly Kuszak; stepson Kusz Kinen; mother Gloria Harder; sister Kim Archibald (Larry); brother Rick Harder (Boots); brothers Randy Harder (Sue) and brother Robert Harder (Lisa); father/mother-in-law Kirk and Kathy Kuszak; sister-in-law Kelly Williamson (Steve); brothers-in-law Kevin Kuszak (Tricia) and Kory Kuszak (Kaela); dear friend Angie Harder; along with many nephews, nieces, and great-nephews and nieces.

Rodney was so excited to become a Catholic and to go through the RCIA classes.  He spent many hours after classes soaking in all the information. While he could not attend mass in person every week because he was so ill, he enjoyed his mass for shut-ins. He then started watching the live stream of Saint Frances Cabrini masses.

He often spoke about his childhood; the fun times with his siblings and friends, and his time playing and watching sports. That is where his love for sports started. Rodney would watch all types of sports, from football to bowling. He enjoyed watching high school sports and would often follow local athletes on their journey through their high school sports journeys.  Rodney often spoke and told stories about playing rounds of golf with his brothers at the local golf courses around Omaha.

Cancer forced him to retire sooner than he wanted, he worked as a Detention Officer at Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office.

Rodney loved classic rock and heavy metal. When he was going through chemo treatments, he would listen to heavy metal to calm his nerves and break up the time.

Rodney and Kimberly were married in the open space of the Burlington Building in Omaha, Nebraska.   Mark and Heidi Sommer graciously officiated the ceremony, making their day special and unique.   The bride wore a deep purple wedding dress and walked down to meet her groom to the song “Somewhere over the Rainbow” from the Wizard of Oz. One of Rodney’s favorite movies.   They said I Do's in front of many family and friends.

Once Kusz started playing lacrosse. Rodney spent many hours driving Kusz to lacrosse practice/tournaments and enjoyed every minute of their time on the road. But, of course, along with his lacrosse family had the best memories on the sidelines and “tailgating their guts out,”…as Anne would say!

Rodney loved NASCAR, and his favorite driver has always been Tony Stewart. One of his favorite memories was touring the NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum in North Carolina.   Rodney, Kusz, and Kimberly also toured the Daytona Racetrack in Florida.

Rodney is at peace and pain-free, and he will be missed!

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