Joseph "Joe" M. Kodad
July 4, 1920 - April 21, 2016
Joseph M. 'Joe' Kodad age 95, of Hooper
Died Thursday April 21, 2016 at the Hooper Care Center
He was born July 4, 1920 on a farm near Richland, Nebraska to Joseph and Emily (Maca) Kodad. He attended school district 12 near Richland. After completing his education, he started farming with his father until 1942 when he was called to serve his country in the United States Army during World War II. While in the service, he married Berniece P. O'Hare on May 24, 1943 at St. Augustine Church in Schuyler, Nebraska.
He left for England in 1943 and was part of the Allied invasion of Western Europe, which was launched June 6, 1944 (the most celebrated D-Day of the war), with the simultaneous landing of U.S., British and Canadian forces on five separate beachheads in Normandy, France. A member of the 80th Infantry Division, 3rd Army, European theater, Joe landed on Utah Beach and served under Army General George S. Patton. Joe and his brothers in arms made their way across Europe through France, Germany, eastern Belgium and northern Luxemburg (Battle of the Bulge), to the Czechoslovakian border to Fussin, Austria, when the war ended in Europe in 1945.
Upon returning home, Joe started farming in the North Bend, Nebraska area in 1947. He and his wife then moved to the Hooper, Nebraska area where he farmed until 1985 when he retired. His beloved wife of 52 years preceded him in death on July 5, 1995. He was also preceded by his parents Joseph and Emily, a sister Emily, and two brothers, Edward and Melvin. Joe belonged to the VFW Post 8223 in North Bend and St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hooper.
He is survived by his good friend Mike Schuler.
At his request, the funeral service will be held at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont at 10 AM Monday (April 25th) with Rev. Ron Battiatio. The committal will be in Memorial Cemetery in Fremont with Military Honors. The visitation will be in Hooper on Sunday from 1 to 4 PM at Ludvigsen's Hooper Funeral Chapel
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Obituary Provided By:
1249 E. 23rd St.
Fremont, NE 68025
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