Gena G. Rodgers

Gena G. Rodgers, age 98 of Kearney, passed away on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at St. John’s Good Samaritan Society in Kearney. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Kearney. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be at Kearney Cemetery. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a message or condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is in charge of arrangements. Gena Gertrude Irish was born 4/19/1927 at the family farm near Belgrade in Boone County, Nebraska, the 5th of 5 children born to S. Ralph and Leona Berge Irish. She attended country school west of Winnetoon, Nebraska through the 8th grade, then to Creighton, Nebraska for 9th and 10th grades, and to Neligh for 11th and 12th grades, graduating in 1944. This is where Gena met Daryl Rodgers, her high school sweetheart. They were married in Creighton, Nebraska in 1945. Gena, known as “Mrs. Rodgers,” started her teaching career in 1944 after earning the Normal Training Certificate, which enabled her to instruct all grades from K-8 in country schools. She later received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Dana College in Blair, Nebraska and later, a Master’s Degree in Education from Kearney State College. Gena spent 36 years teaching, retiring from Park Elementary in Kearney where she especially enjoyed helping her 1st graders learn to read. Gena was a supportive and loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. As a life-long learner herself, she inspired many family members to pursue higher education and personal growth. Gena was a member of First Lutheran Church in Kearney, and a 50-year member of PEO and Eastern Star. She is survived by her husband of over 80 years, Daryl Rodgers of Kearney; son, Brad (Kim) Rodgers of Kearney; daughter, Janet (David) Dwiggins of Gibbon; 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and stepmother; sisters, Mildred Henzlik and Ruth Serra; brothers, Marvin Irish and Dean Irish; and half-brother, Bob Irish.

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Gena G. Rodgers

April 19, 1927 - February 11, 2026