Daniel J. Rohde

Daniel John Rohde, 89 of Emerson, NE passed away on Friday, February 7, 2014 at Heritage of Emerson in Emerson, NE. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Emerson, NE; Pastor Gretchen Ritola will be officiating. Interment with military honors by the American Legion will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Emerson, NE. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Homes of Emerson, NE. Daniel was born on July 11, 1924 in Sioux City, IA to Edward and Alvina (Harrigfeld) Rohde. He grew up on the family homestead in rural Emerson with his three brothers and one sister. Daniel attended Oakdale District 42 country school for nine years and high school in Homer, NE until he enlisted in the Navy during WWII. He was deployed for 23 months and served as a Seaman Private First Class while stationed in the Pacific Theatre. In 1946, Daniel returned to farm in Dakota County. He met his wife Mary Clark, a nursing student from Cherokee, IA on a blind date that same year. On October 24, 1948, they were married in Cherokee at Immaculate Conception Rectory by Rev. Father Carpenter. They were blessed with seven children and lived on the farm in rural Emerson for 65 years. Daniel farmed and fed cattle until he retired in the early 1990’s. He was a lifelong member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Emerson, and was a church council member. Daniel has been an active member of the American Legion Buckland Post 97 in Homer for 68 years and was the County Post Commander in 1966. In 1970, he was elected and served for 20 years as a Dakota County Commissioner. He was also active on several county boards. Daniel enjoyed socializing with family and friends, and putting miles on his pickups “checking on the boys,” and had a great passion for Oliver tractors. Left to cherish his memory: His wife Mary of 65 years; daughters, Danna (Chuck) Plummer of Omaha, NE; Jody (Ken) Mueller of Roca, NE; Patti (Mark) Trevett of Homer, NE; sons, Martin (Trish) Rohde and Rod Rohde of Emerson, NE; daughters-in-law Cyndy Rohde and Linda Rohde of Emerson, NE; 19 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; his twin brother and sidekick Don Rohde whom he lived within one mile of his entire life, sisters and brothers-in-law, Kay (Frank) Hase of Eagle Rock, MO, Patricia Schumann of Riceville, IA, Jack Clark of Cherokee, IA; nieces, nephews and many dear friends. Daniel was preceded in death by: his parents; sons, John and infant Danny; brothers, Darrell and Gene; sister, Phyllis Helrich and infant sisters.