Rodney Wayne Heldenbrand, eldest son of Fredrick and Maxine Heldenbrand, was born on March 15, 1937, in North Platte, Nebraska. Rodney passed away on August 23, 2025, at his home in Farragut, Iowa.
He grew up in Wauneta, Nebraska. As a youngster, Rodney enjoyed scouting, playing sports, singing in choirs, and performing in theater productions. He graduated from Wauneta High School in 1955.
On June 1, 1958, he was united in marriage to Janice Buffington. To this union, five children were born. Rodney held working positions as bookkeeper, meat cutter, but held a long-respected career as a memorial monument salesman with territories in Kansas, Nebraska, and later California.
In later years, the friendship he found in Patsy Hanley blossomed into the light of his life. The two of them enjoyed crafting and selling their unique products at craft fairs in numerous states. Patsy’s two daughters, Cindy and Jennifer, became chosen family to Rodney.
Rodney had several passions in his adult years. His passion for singing led him into barbershop quartet singing where he sang with the Hayes Kansas chapter, was a charter member of the McCook Nebraska chapter, and with the Omaha Nebraska chapter. Rodney also enjoyed performing as a clown for special events with a talent for creating balloon animals. Rodney’s passion for classic cars and sales background gave him the opportunity to provide a classic car brokerage service putting buyers and sellers together. Rodney also had a deep love for his country and great respect for our military and veterans.
Celebrating his life include his longtime friend and companion, Patsy Hanley of Farragut, Iowa; seven children, Rob and wife Jacquelyn Heldenbrand of Omaha, Nebraska; William Tod and his wife Robi Ann Heldenbrand of Alliance, Nebraska; Roene and her husband Michael Fox of Kearney, Nebraska; Joene and her husband Steve Crocker of Kearney, Nebraska; Bob and his wife Brenda Heldenbrand of Holyoke, Colorado; Cindy and her husband Ron Kwiatkowski of Hot Springs, Arkansas; Jennifer and her husband Dan Meyer of Arnold, Nebraska; brother, Rick and his wife Lee Ann Heldenbrand of Lincoln, Nebraska; brother, Tom Heldenbrand of Jacksonville, Florida; sister, Kathy Jorgensen of Omaha, Nebraska; and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents.
