Rodney L. Easterday

Rodney Lee Easterday, age 66 of Eustis Nebraska, was welcomed home into the arms of our Lord on July 18th, 2026. Rodney lived a simple life rooted in faith, full of hard work, the longest days and latest nights…and yet of his life he would constantly say “he was blessed beyond his measure.” While lovingly serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he was a devoted husband, fun-loving father and a lifelong cattleman who poured years of blood, sweat, and tears into developing his exceptional A Bar E Black Angus cattle herd, genetics that are now shared by many area ranchers throughout his 45 years of high-quality bull offerings.

Born to Donald L. and June (Stombaugh) Easterday on Sept 12, 1959, in Cozad Nebraska, Rodney grew up on his family farm south of Eustis but would be quick to remind anyone, that he knew he was a man by the time he was 5 years old, and no one could tell him otherwise. His favorite place was found working right alongside his Dad, whom he greatly admired. Rodney was known since childhood for his amazing memory, recalling moments as young as two years old. He cherished his family and he loved sharing those stories of his treasured past with anyone who would listen, all with his “Easterday voice” of course.

Rodney attended Eustis Public Schools and loved to tell the tales of his years in those halls and as a member of the Tiger wrestling team. He also took great pride in purchasing his first car, a catalog-ordered 1974 Pontiac Ventura. When not in school or on the farm Rodney could be seen and most definitely heard burning up the road on the back of his Kawasaki motorcycle, sharp shooting and fishing with his best friend, or taking part in the possible shenanigan or two. Rodney was a gifted artist in multiple mediums; sketching, leather, welding and woodwork, all skills that he grew and continued to cultivate throughout his adult life. But if you asked him what he considered his greatest accomplishment during his high school years, his answer would have had nothing to do with athletics or academics. It was Josh; his 2-year-old colt that he bought, broke, and trained all by himself. Ole Josh remained his faithful companion for 26 years. Rodney went on to graduate from Eustis High School with the Class of 1977.

In early 1979, Rodney completed the Cattle Management and Breeding Program at the Graham School in Garnett, Kansas, an achievement which he was very proud of. Shortly thereafter, in the summer of 1980 he officially became a lifelong member of the American Angus Association, a partnership that resulted in numerous awards and recognitions including several Pathfinder cows. With his deep love of the cattle industry and creating opportunities for the future generation, Rodney played a vital part in establishing the Frontier County Ranchers Group and their Open Class Stock Show.

Then, in answer to his many prayers, on April 4, 1981, Rodney married the love of his life, Kim LaRae Fleischmann. Together they were, blessed with four girls, or as he called them, “The Bad Boys” and built a beautiful life together. Rodney worked hard for his family, to provide a life not rich by the world’s standards, but one that overflowed with the things that mattered most; a home filled with love and constant laughter, grounded by his immense faith, unwavering integrity, selfless generosity, and strong work ethic. Rodney was a fun-loving husband and dad, who could turn the hardest work into play, who loved to tease, tell jokes, and had his remarkable way of turning even the littlest nooks of his time into the biggest and brightest memories. Complete with his extensive repertoire of silly voices, Rodney had the deepest stash of special sayings, songs, gestures and one-liners that will undoubtedly live on in the hearts, minds and conversations of all those privileged enough to know them.

In 1986, Rodney anxiously attended a course in Non-Surgical Embryo Transfer at Big Sky Genetics in Montana with instructor, Jim Drayson. At the time, this was a groundbreaking procedure, and Rodney was one of the very few to have obtained the skills. Rodney spent many years working full time as a hired hand for The Hueftle Family, eventually landing at Agrow Inc., devoting over 30 years of his life to that operation, giving of his many talents and unique abilities. On top of always having his full-time job, over the years Rodney juggled working part-time for his father-in-law as a farm and ranch hand, serving as herdsman for Nisley Shorthorns, farming the Horst Tobaben homestead for 40 years, and yet still finding time for his true passion of raising and growing his beloved black angus cattle herd. Rodney was known for his ability to fix everything. He was the; give the shirt off his back, go to, fixer, tinker, engineer, jump in, climb up, work on, drive anything and everything, kind of guy.

From the tender age of 8, Rodney anxiously awaited for the day the Lord would call him into ministry. On March 1, 1987, Rodney’s dream was realized as he was ordained into the priesthood at the age of 27, an honor he took very seriously and held so near and dear to his heart. He passionately served the Lord with all his might, mind and strength, carefully crafting each sermon from testimony and truth. He was known as the singing minister, often sharing his love of the Lord with his amazing, powerful voice, and handwritten poems. Through his years in the priesthood, he was privileged to have the opportunity to perform multiple baptisms and weddings for family and close friends. With an enduring devotion for the downtrodden and lost, the sinner, the outcast, and the underdog, Rodney leaves a legacy of consistently and lovingly preaching a message of hope that he knew could only be found through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Later in life Rodney deeply cherished his role as Grandpa, or as many of his grandbabies called him Grandfasha. In his all too short time with them, he filled their lives with as much love and laughter as he did their moms who came before them.

Rodney found peace and profound joy in life’s simplest moments. Whether saddling his horse and riding through the pastures, quietly watching over his cattle, or, at the end of a long day, sitting on his swing as he watched what he called his “dog and pony show,” Rodney was content in its purest form. The beauty of the Lord’s creation was never lost on him, as he spent nearly every waking moment of his life out in it. From the wildflowers and even the weeds, to the birds singing in the trees, from natures treasures he would find all around, to summer sunsets and the wintry starry sky… he was a true steward of the land and the life that God blessed him with.

Rodney will be remembered for; his deep unwavering faith and trust in the Lord, love of family and all those close to him, his steady presence, integrity, and strength in all its forms, his infectious smile and laugh, his voice and love of music, his kindness, generosity, and strong work ethic, his ornery sense of humor and playfulness, his storytelling and nickname bestowing, his endless one liners, jokes and of course his funny voices that he was always oh so happy to share.

He was preceded in death by his parents Donald and June Easterday, father-in-law L. Dan Fleischmann, granddaughter Opal Grace Schurr, brother Gene Easterday and wife Sherry, brother-in-law Rex Houser, niece Angie Easterday, and his “best man” Thane Ringenberg.

Though Rodney has answered his final call home, hung up his spurs, and gone off to ride and tend to the greenest pastures, those left to tell his stories, carry on his light, and burn brightly in his stead are; his wife of 45 years, Kim Easterday, daughters; Elisha Vazquez of Phoenix AZ, Breann Roberts of Kearney NE, Kayelon (Tyler) Schurr of Eustis NE, and Jaimee (TJ) Norwood of Kearney NE. His precious grandchildren; Coralee, Olive, Forest & Boone Schurr, Evangeline & Félicie Roberts, Samuel and Lucy Norwood, and Isela Vazquez. Siblings; Carolyn Houser, Vernon (Maria) Easterday all of Eustis, John Easterday of Oakland CA, Marjorie Hueftle of Bartley NE, mother-in-law Glenda Fleischmann of Eustis NE, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. Mike & Dawn Hecox, along with many special nephews, nieces, cousins, countless friends who held such a big place in his heart, and last but not least, his beloved cattle herd, a living testament to his lifelong passion and faithful stewardship.

“I hope that when my work on Earth is done you see, That the Lord will say, “Come on in and ride home, with ‘Old Josh’ and me.” -Rodney Easterday

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Eustis Methodist Church.