Rodney Myron Meske

The Lord gave birth to Rodney on April 21, 1948, in Hazen, North Dakota, the son of Otto and Ida (Weidner) Meske. The Lord also gave Rodney a new birth into His family through the waters of Baptism with a washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Hazen, North Dakota on May 16, 1948. His sponsors were the Reverend and Mrs. Samuel Meske. He was carried to the baptismal font by his first cousin, Loretta (Meske) Predoehl. He lived in Hazen until he was 5 months old when his parents moved to a farm south of Beulah, North Dakota. He lived there until he was 5 years old when the family moved to Hazen again where his father was able to find work. Rodney was confirmed in the Lutheran Christian faith at St. Matthew’s on June 17, 1962. His confirmation verse was 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Rodney attended Hazen Public School from first grade until graduation from high school in 1966. In high school he was a student manager for the football team, was involved in the plays, and played basketball. During his years in high school, the Lord planted the seed for him to consider the pastoral ministry. Rodney attended Concordia Teacher’s College (now University), St. Paul, MN from 1966-1968, enrolled in the pre-ministerial program. He graduated with an A.A. degree. The next step in his education took him to Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, IN. He graduated with a B.A. in 1970. The final step in Rodney’s pastoral training took him to Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, IL (which has since moved to Fort Wayne, IN). He served his vicarage year at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Elgin, IL where Alice also taught fifth grade in the parish’s school. He graduated with an M.Div. degree in 1974. Rodney met his bride-to-be while attending Concordia, St. Paul. They were married at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Woodworth, North Dakota on June 28, 1970. The text for their wedding message was Proverbs 3:5-6. The Lord blessed this marriage with four children. Rodney’s first parish experience was at St. John’s, Cordova, NE and Holy Cross, Goehner, NE from 1974 to 1978. The Lord then chose to call him to Immanuel, Hooper, NE. He served there from December 1978 until his retirement in August 2010. For retirement Alice and he moved to Bennington, NE. They became members at Zion, Omaha. Rodney served as visitation pastor at Zion for a few years, assisting in serving those who needed private communion. Jesus called Rodney to his real home in heaven on April 12, 2025, at the age of 76 years and ¬¬¬¬356 days. He will be placed in his resurrection spot at Prospect Hill Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Alice, of Bennington, NE; four children, Natalie (Audie) Stroud, of Lincoln, NE; Jennifer (Marshall) Robinson, of North Platte, NE; Emily (Troy) Panning, of Hooper, NE; and Christopher (Trisha) Meske, of Bennington, NE; eight grandchildren, Luke and Ava Stroud; Ty and Maximus Robinson; Abigail, Lucille, Ivianna, and Elenora Panning; brothers Kenneth Meske and Dalton (Rachel) Meske; nieces and nephews. Those who preceded him in death include his parents, Otto and Ida Meske; and a sister-in-law, Lyla (Piper) Meske. Memorials are suggested to be given to LCMS World Mission at Mission Central, Mapleton, IA.

Rodney Myron Meske

April 21, 1948 - April 12, 2025