Rodney Joseph Karre, the third of 10 children, was born to Arno Rhodes
and Mary Laurene (Kennedy) Karre, at the family home in Hayes County,
Nebraska, on September 12, 1940. He peacefully passed away at his home in Westminster, Colorado on April 12, 2023, at the age of 82.
Rodney was close to his siblings, they worked hard on the farm, attended
church, and on Saturday nights they would gather with neighboring
families to play cards. Rod was a lifetime learner, beginning his formal
education in a one room schoolhouse and graduating from St. Patrick's
Catholic High School in North Platte in 1958. He enjoyed participating
in football, basketball, and track. In 1958 Rod enlisted in the U.S. Air
Force and served four years. During that time his love of travel began.
On April 11, 1964, Rodney married the love of his life, Mary Ann Maline.
They spent 59 years together and welcomed two daughters, Kim and Dani. The family made their home in Westminster, Colorado, but enjoyed traveling back to Nebraska to visit family and go water skiing, camping and boating at Lake McConaughy, and vacations and homemade ice cream.
Rod worked at the Nebraska Games and Parks Commission prior to starting his career as a Tool and Dye Maker. He retired from Ball Aerospace Technologies as a prototype machinist, creating one-of-a-kind parts to correct lenses on the Hubble Space Telescope, among other items destined for space.
Rod made lifelong friends at every stage of his life because of his
accepting nature, desire to have fun, and laid-back approach. He enjoyed
gospel music, movies, traveling, photography and keeping physically
active. He began playing golf at age 50 and it quickly turned into his
favorite sport.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Mary Ann Karre, and daughters,
Kimberly (James) Siffring and Danielle (Paul) Steiner; grandchildren,
Stuart (Samantha) Siffring, Geoffrey (Megan) Siffring, Vespera Steiner;
and great-grandchildren, Reid, Oliver, Lila, Daphne and Matilda.
Survivors also include his brothers, Jack (Pat), Tom (LaDonna), Tim
(Joan), Doug, Rich, and Fred Karre; brothers and sisters-in-law, Allen
(Susan) Maline, Ida Mae Lauer, Carl (Darlene) Maline, Bill Maline, Bob
(Sherry) Maline, Coleen Chingren, Kathleen (Charles) Huebner and Sharron Maline; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
When Rod arrived in heaven, he was greeted by his parents; sisters,
Arlene (Bob) Knoll and Norma (Jerry) Quick; brother, Jerry Karre;
parents-in-law, Lloyd and Lila Maline; brothers-in-law, Gus Maline and Leo Chingren; and nephews, Mark Quick and Kevin Maline.
The family will welcome visitors on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at Odean
Colonial Chapel in North Platte, Nebraska.
Services will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023, beginning with an inurnment in Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Nebraska at 10 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel in North Platte. Lunch will be provided after the service.
The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore in North Platte, which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials in Rod's name are designated to the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment Trust Fund.