Kenneth G. Bode lived with a restless energy, a love of family, and an adventurous spirit that carried him from the open road to Nebraska ranches and livestock operations. Known to many as Kenny, he was a hardworking man who rarely sat still and leaves behind memories filled with family, friendship, work, and plenty of adventure.
Bode, 72, of Elgin, Nebraska, passed away Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Antelope Memorial Hospital in Neligh. He was born April 13, 1954, in Tilden to Delbert Gilbert and Delores Marie Bode and grew up on the family farm west of Elgin.
After graduating from Pope John High School in 1972, Kenny began a trucking business that eventually operated as many as six trucks hauling livestock between Sioux City, Iowa, and Los Angeles, California. He later owned and operated feedyards and worked in livestock marketing, order-buying cattle and ultrasounding cattle alongside his son Cody.
He married Barbara Kaye Mann on October 18, 1980. Their life together included time in several communities before they returned to the Elgin area.
Kenny enjoyed flying airplanes and powered parachutes, reading, working with horses and cattle, tinkering, and taking drives with his companion, Dog. During his final two and a half years, his involvement with AA in O’Neill became an important source of fellowship and friendship.
He is survived by Barb, three sons, seven grandchildren, six siblings, and many relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Delbert Jr. and Jeff.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held September 15 at St. Boniface Church in Elgin. Kenny’s adventurous, hardworking spirit will long remain part of the memories cherished by those who knew him.