Harriet Joyce Brod, 71, loving mother and grandmother, lost her very courageous battle to lung cancer on Wednesday, March 3, 2010.  She was diagnosed in late May of 2009.  She was born on May 25, 1938, in Diller, NE.  She was baptized and was a member of the Church of Christ in Diller, NE.  Harriet attended school at Diller (K-12).  She married Melvern “Smokey” Brod in Council Bluffs, IA on September 1, 1960.  They lived in Beatrice until 1969 when they moved south of Ellis.  She was a homemaker and a “farmer’s wife” for most of her life.  She always helped with the chores.  In 1981 she was employed by the P.E.O. home in Beatrice until her retirement in 2003.  She then went to work at the Senior Center in 2006 until retiring at the end of 2008.  Harriet was very devoted to her grandkids, never missing an event.  She was an avid Husker fan, enjoyed gardening, being outside and just visiting. 

Survivors include, husband, Melvern “Smokey” Brod of Beatrice; son, James “Jim” Brod and wife, Danice, of rural Beatrice; grandchildren, Steven Hale of Lincoln, Jake and Jordan Brod of rural Beatrice, Ivis Marie, Regan, and Natasha Hale of Puerto Rico; mother-in-law, Gladys Brod of Madison, S.D.; sisters, Shirley Hofacre and husband, Michael, of Beatrice, Janet Scheetz and husband, Jerry, of Lincoln; brother-in-law, Merle Brod of Madison S.D.; aunt, Verna Wathor of Beatrice; nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by a son, Steve Hale; infant daughters, Vickie and Theresa; parents, Harry and Opal Wathor;  brother, LeRoy Wathor; father-in-law, George Brod; sister-in-law Vernell Sanders. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, March 5, 2010 at Harman-Wright Mortuary Chapel, Beatrice, NE, with Jon Palmquist officiating.  A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 A.M.  Burial will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery, Diller, NE.  Visitation will be held at Harman-Wright Mortuary on Thursday, March 4, 2005, from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. with the family greeting friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.  A memorial has been established to Relay for Life with Lorna Wehling and Carol Wolfe in charge.  A register book is available online at www.harmanwrightmortuary.com for messages of condolence.  Harman-Wright Mortuary, Beatrice, in charge of arrangements.