Michael S. Hardee

Michael “Mike” S. Hardee of Cozad passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026 at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, surrounded by family and friends. He was 52 years old.

Mike was the second of three children, born to Dennis and Dianne (Ambler) Hardee on January 11th, 1974 in Cozad, Nebraska. As a child, he was baptized into the Church of Christ in Cozad and was active in the youth group there. He attended school in Cozad, graduating from Cozad High School with the class of 1992. He was a talented artist. After high school, Mike continued to make his home in Cozad, working at Monroes. Mike married Carrie Sweeney in 1994 and together they had 2 daughters, Allison and LaDonna. In 2005, Mike married the love of his life, Shannon Nelson, who had 2 children of her own, Brandi and Landon, and their two families became one. The couple were also blessed to have two children together, Kohltyn and Michaela. The family moved to Holdrege where Mike worked at BD before moving back home to Cozad. Mike worked as the Maintenance Director for Emerald Nursing & Rehab from 2019 until his passing.

First and foremost, Mike was a family man and loved spending time with his kids, grandkids, parents, siblings and other family and friends. It didn’t matter the occasion, watching the game, having a couple beers at the bar or just getting together and visiting on the patio, he was always happiest in the presence of those he loved. Numerous poker tournaments, dart games and game nights took place in Mike’s “Mancave” and he always believed in “the more the merrier” but “BYOB”! He loved Husker football and continued to bleed red even when other fans had given up on them. Mike was a huge Raiders fan, claiming he had to be different because everyone else in the family loved the Broncos! He had a love for guns and enjoyed adding new ones to his collection and going shooting on nice days. Mike loved music and enjoyed going to concerts of all kinds. He was a friend to everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. His humor, sarcasm and orneriness only added to his charm!

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, mother and father-in law, brother-in-law, Mike Nelson and nephew Brody Malcom.

Mike is lovingly survived by his wife Shannon Hardee of Cozad; his parents Dennis and Dianne Hardee of Cozad; daughters Brandi (Tyler) McCoy of Holdrege, Allison Hardee (Stefan Baker) of Tilden, LaDonna Hardee of Cozad and Michaela Hardee of Cozad; sons Landon Lubash of Cozad and Kohltyn Hardee of Cozad; granddaughters Avery Baker, Macyn Baker and Winnie Baker, all of Tilden, NE; sisters Shawn (John) Stevens of Brighton, Colorado and Stacey (Joe) Bryant of Cozad; lifelong friend/brother Mike (Megan) Essex of Cozad; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cozad Church of Christ with Pastor David Haynes officiating.