Harold Rother, of Wolbach, passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at the Omaha VA Medical Center in Omaha, at the age of eighty-four.

Harold was born on March 13, 1940, in Wolbach, to George and Emma (Schrum) Rother. He grew up on the family farm in Nebraska hunting, fishing, and working the farmland. During high school, Harold was proud to represent the Wolbach Mustangs, earning all-state honors in football in 1957. An opposing coach referred to “Crazy Legs Rother” as “the best back in either eleven or six-man football” that year.

After high school, Harold joined the United States Army and served domestically from 1958 until 1960 while playing baseball for the Army. After turning down opportunities to try out for major league teams after the service, he returned to the farm in Wolbach and worked as a blacksmith for Jacobson’s Blacksmith Shop for many years. His skills as a blacksmith were well known throughout the surrounding counties as many farmers brought their equipment to him to be repaired or to have new parts made.

While working as a blacksmith and a farmer, Harold continued using his athletic skills, playing town ball with his many cousins and friends in Wolbach. He was a very competitive softball pitcher and player for many years. He also enjoyed leaving the farm to take fishing trips to Canada, ice fishing trips with his cousins and friends, and avidly cheering on his beloved Cornhuskers; however, he always came home to the place he loved most, Wolbach.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings, Lucille, Frank, Glenn, and Fern. Harold is survived by his nieces and nephew and their spouses: Chris and Jeff Swanson, Frank and Debbie Sadd, and Marianne Winckler; many cousins; and his beloved dog, Bo.

Harold’s wishes were to be cremated. Inurnment will take place in the Hillside Cemetery in Wolbach at a later date.

If you would like to share memories of Harold or offer words of comfort to his family, please visit petersfuneralhome. net.

The Phonograph-Herald | May 1, 2024