Carl Rodney Larson 76, of Emerson, NE passed away Saturday, May 10, 2014 surrounded by his family at his home in Emerson, NE. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Emerson, NE; Pastor Gretchen Ritola will be officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday May 14, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, with a Prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Emerson. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Emerson, NE.

Rodney was born on April 7, 1938, in Wakefield, NE the eldest of six children and only son born to Carl August Bertil Larson and Opal H. (Witt) Larson. He was baptized on June 19, 1938 and confirmed in faith on June 27, 1952 at the Mission Covenant Church in Wakefield, NE.

Rodney attended Pleasant Hill Country School, District #66 and graduated for Emerson High School in 1955, where he was involved in football, Vo Ag, FFA and Cornhusker Boys State. In 1956, he earned an Accountancy degree at Commercial Extension School of Commerce in Omaha, NE. Between 1956 and 1961, Rodney worked at several places in Omaha including: Ford Moving and Storage, selling Wear-Ever pots and pans, driving a taxi and Burlington Northern Railroad Company.
Rod and Elaine Brinkman were united in marriage on August 23, 1959 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Emerson, NE. They resided in Omaha, NE until March of 1961 before moving to their farm southwest of Emerson. Rodney and Elaine retired in 2008, after 47 years of raising cattle, hogs and grain.

He was a member of the Emerson-Hubbard School Board, Farmers Coop Board of Directors, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Council, the Dixon County ASC Committee and the Emerson Township Board. Rodney was also a member of the Country Music Association of South Sioux City and the Eagles Aerie #2492 of South Sioux City, NE.

Rodney loved to fish, fly his airplane, and strum his guitar while singing and dancing at jam sessions. He attended many of his grandchildren’s activities.

He is survived by his wife; Elaine, children and their spouses; Barb and Larry Nitz of Lincoln, NE, Steve and Marcie Larson of Columbus, NE, grandchildren; Garrett, Jason and Andy Nitz of Lincoln, NE, Alex and Jessica Larson of Columbus, NE, sisters; Melba and Gene Lamb of Lawrence, KS, Bernita and Monte Johnson of Puyallup, WA, Wanda Vespucci of Omaha, NE, Jenene and Dale Kumbier of Maxwell, IA, Janette Hassler of Clive, IA, brother-in-law; Ron and Carol Brinkman of Emerson, NE and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Rodney is preceded in death by his parents; Bertil and Opal Larson, parents-in-law; Henry and Frances Brinkman, brother in law; Mike Vespucci, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.