Rodney "Rod" Epp

Former Hastings resident Rodney Robert “Rod” Epp, 90, passed away Sunday, March 21, 2021, at his daughter’s home in Chadron, NE.

Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, July 17, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Pro-Cathedral Church in Hastings with The Very Reverend Katie Hargis officiating. Inurnment with military rites by Hastings Military Honor Guard will be at St. Mark’s Episcopal Pro-Cathedral Columbarium in Hastings. There will be no viewing or visitation. Memorials may be given to Hastings Public Schools Foundation.

Rod was born June 23, 1930, in Gage County, NE to Herman “HJ” & Opal Ruth (Jackson) Epp. He graduated from Beatrice High School, earned a BS in Education from Chadron State College, and his Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Oregon.  He also attended UC Berkley and Harvard . Rod served in the U.S. Air Force from July 15, 1951 to June 7, 1955. He married LaVerna Larson on May 26, 1957.

Rod was a biology teacher at Hastings High School for many years. He was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Pro-Cathedral Church, National Education Association, and Hastings Education Association. Rod was very active in his church and was an avid Cornhusker fan.

Rod was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jane Kreycik.

SURVIVORS:
Wife:
LaVerna Epp – Grand Island, NE
Children & Spouses:
Tamie & Jaime Tvrdik – Dixon, CA
Anna & Jeff Fraser – New Bern, NC
Jana & Don Watt – Chadron, NE
Grandchildren:
8
Great-Grandchildren:
14
Sisters & Spouse:
Virginia & Willis Brown – Mesa, AZ
Linda Epp – Scottsbluff, NE
Brother-in-law:
Hale Kreycik – Douglas, WY
Numerous cousins and friends