Max D. Nordeen

Max D. Nordeen, 91 of St. Edward, NE passed away on Monday, November 3, 2025 at his home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 7, 2025, at St. Edward Catholic Church in St. Edward, NE with Fr. Lawrence Stoley and Fr. Matt Gutowski officiating. Interment will follow at St. Edward Catholic Cemetery, St. Edward, NE. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday at the church, with a 7:00 p.m. wake service.

Miller-Levander Funeral Home, St. Edward, NE is in charge of the arrangements.

Max Darrell Nordeen, son of Oliver and Hazel (Apple) Nordeen, was born on the Barneke Place west of St. Edward, Nebraska, on October 14, 1934. He was the eighth of ten children: Mildred, Glen, Richard, Donald, Duane, Robert, Shirley, Max, Pat, and Lois.

At just nine years old, Max began working for local farmers during the summers, continuing until the age of sixteen. In 1952, he worked at the Farmers COOP Grocery Store, and the following year joined the Boone County Roads Department, where he operated D6 Caterpillar tractors.

In 1953, Max married Nancy Phillips. Together they had five children: Tom, Jack, Keith, Todd, and Karla. The family made their home in Columbus, where Max worked for Saunders Archery Company for eleven years. In 1964, he began working for Dale Nelson at International Tractor for four years, and in 1968, he joined Mahoney's Sales & Service, where he worked with Massey Ferguson and Case Tractor equipment for 27 years, until a massive fire led to the sale of the business.

In 1973, Max married Bonnie (Kiesling-Stoley) Nordeen, and together they made their home in the St. Edward area for the next 52 years. Bonnie brought one son to their marriage, Fr. Lawrence Stoley.

In 1998, Max went to work for John Deere in Albion under Robert Whited, where he remained for eight years. He then joined Tri Valley and later CVA, working another ten years. Even after retirement, Max continued to lend a hand to local farmers Richard Nauenberg and Kenny Jenkins for 15 more years.

Throughout his life, Max loved spending time outdoors. Hunting and fishing with his boys and friends brought him great joy, and in retirement, he also enjoyed gardening and more fishing.

Max believed in serving his community. He was a member of the St. Edward Public School Board for four years, served with the St. Edward Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years, and contributed to the St. Edward Development Committee for 36 years. He also served on the Board of the Swanson & Ljungdahl Foundation since its founding in 2003.

Max is survived by his wife, Bonnie, of St. Edward, NE; children Tom Nordeen of Powell, WY; Jack Nordeen of Albion, NE; Keith (Rita) Nordeen of Cody, WY; Fr. Lawrence Stoley of Lincoln, NE; Todd (Susie) Nordeen of Alliance, NE; and Karla (Ken) Baum of Tucson, AZ; sister Lois Nordeen of Albion, NE; grandchildren Jessica (James) Abarca of Casper, WY; Kendal (Travis) Wemhoff of Cody, WY; Mikenzie (Lane) Garrett of Bellevue, NE; Klayton Nordeen of Omaha, NE; Tanner (Carrie) Nordeen of Lincoln, NE; Jonathan Baum of Dallas, TX; Sydney Nordeen of Omaha, NE; and Jace Nordeen of Powell, WY; great-grandchildren Haley, Austin, and Trace Abarca, and Phoenix Nordeen; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Hazel Nordeen; siblings Mildred, Glen, Donnie, Richard, Duane, and Robert Nordeen; Shirley Torson; and Pat Carnahan.