Kenny Joe Bader

Funeral services will be Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 2:00 pm Mountain Time at the Hooker County Community Center at Mullen, NE with Pastor Ben Hart and Pastor Mark Danielsen officiating. Burial will be in the Cedar View Cemetery with Military Honors. Memorials are suggested to the Mullen Golf Club, Hondo Lanes, or Mullen Ambulance. A visitation will take place on Friday, February 10th from 2:00 to 7:00 pm, with family greeting 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Mullen Funeral Home in Mullen. Govier Brothers Mortuary of Mullen are in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com.  

     Kenny Joe Bader, 74 years old, was born on October 29, 1948, to Joe and Virginia (Daily) Bader in Broken Bow, NE.

     During the blizzard of 1949, Joe and Virginia were visiting at Big Creek, got snowed in, and had to use a dresser drawer for a bed to keep Kenny warm.

     During the years Kenny was in school the family lived in Mullen and Cozad. Kenny graduated in 1967 from Mullen High School.

      Kenny was drafted into the US Army in 1969. He served in Vietnam for 13 months. He was honorably discharged in November of 1970.

     Upon returning to the Mullen area Kenny met Jill Schmoker. They were married December 4th, 1971. To this union they welcomed two beautiful daughters, Becky Jo in 1974 and Carla Sue in 1977.

      During their married years Kenny and family worked at several ranches in the Mullen area. The couple were later divorced.

     The next few years Kenny owned and operated the Country Club in Arnold, NE.

      After leaving Arnold, Kenny returned to manage the Dismal River Ranch south of Mullen.

     Kenny met Sharilyn Hathorn, of Valentine in 1994. Interestingly, friend Russ DeNaeyer introduced them. They were married in Valentine, NE on Valentine’s Day, 2000. They made their home at Arabia Ranch, Woodlake, NE for the next 13 years. During this time, they helped raise grandson, Dylan Hathorn. When Kenny retired the family moved to Mullen, where they have resided since.

     Kenny enjoyed his Camaro’s, often taking one of them for a “drive around the block” circling down to Tryon, Stapleton, sometimes to Arnold, Thedford, and home. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, bowling, golfing, softball (he fast pitched until he was 40 years old), his gun collection, his horses, and dogs.

     He passed away peacefully at home on February 6, 2023. He leaves to mourn his wife, Sharilyn, his two daughters, Becky Thompson and Carla Bader. His sister Peggy (Bob) Marsh and brother Bruce (Patty) Bader. Stepchildren Troy Green (Christine), Travis Green (Tina), Annette Van Dommelin (Sean), Amanda Oliver (Nathan), Elizabeth Hathorn (Todd); his granddaughter Macy Thompson, 15 step-grandchildren, 5 step-great-grandchildren, 2 nieces and 5 nephews. Special family friend Jill Buchfinck, many other relatives and great friends and special collie, Sally.

     Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Virginia Bader, and one step-grandson, Monte Green.