November 28, 1950 – March 17, 2024
Rodney David Reichel was born on November 28, 1950 to David & Ruth (Huber) Reichel. He attended Holmes Elementary School, Leffler Junior High, and Lincoln Southeast High School where he graduated in 1969.
His passion for music was evident from an early age as he took piano lessons and was a member of the Lincoln Boys Choir traveling to Europe on tour. In high school, he played the part of Eddy Ryan in the production of Funny Girl. At Nebraska Wesleyan, Rod graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with a History major and Music minor. He played the organ for several churches and sang solos, including “The Holy City.”
Rod’s career began at Leon’s IGA as a bagging clerk in the late 1960s. After leaving Leon’s he went to work for a little neighborhood grocery store called B&R IGA on 17th & Washington with Russ Raybould. In 1983, Rod & Lois purchased a grocery store in Hastings, NE called R&L’s Countryfare IGA.
After selling the store in Hastings, Rod went to work for Waddell & Reed as a Financial Planner bringing financial success to his family and clients. Ever the teacher, he built his client base by teaching seminars in small towns around Southeast Nebraska. He also taught classes at Southeast Community College. On Saturdays, he participated in the Waddell & Reed Radio Show at KLIN – News/Talk 1400. He retired from Waddell & Reed in 2005 at age 55.
In retirement, his love for history made a comeback as he started a genealogy project that spanned 20+ years and will be continued by Lois. He completed writing, “The Sands of Time” in 2018.
Rod married his high school sweetheart Lois Lininger on August 14, 1971 at Redeemer Lutheran Church. He is survived by his best friend of 69 years Lois E. (Lininger) Reichel, children Tony & Tammi (Reichel) Adams, David & Sandy (Claycomb) Reichel, Jamie & Heather (Reichel) Sears, six grandchildren - Elizabeth & Byron Adams, Bobby & Katey Reichel, Matthew & Alex Sears, his sister Deb (Reichel) Gleaves, brother and sister-in-law David & Jo Ann (Geisler) Lininger, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Note from the family: Rod expressed his spirituality through music, and we aim to honor his memory by designing a worship service in his honor. He ministered to others with his voice and by playing the organ. It is the hope of Lois and family that you may experience the love of God while we celebrate Rod’s life through music.
Christian Worship Service will be held March 21, 2024, 10:30 AM at Messiah Lutheran Church, 1800 S. 84th Street. with Pastor David Loeschen officiating. Luncheon to follow. Interment at Lincoln Memorial Park 2:30 PM, Gate 2. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 6 pm to 8 pm, at Lincoln Memorial, 6800 S 14th St., Lincoln, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Lincoln Lutheran High School or Messiah Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be left at www.lincolnfh.com.
