Rodney Dean Hacker, 74, of Oskaloosa died Sunday, June 7, 2026. He was born on January 27, 1952, in Fort Dodge, the son of Virgil and Lola Boyden Hacker. Rodney’s faith journey started as a young man with his baptism into the Rutland Trinity Lutheran Church on March 9, 1952; he was later confirmed in that same church on May 29, 1966. Rod’s commitment to his faith, rooted early in life, remained steady and strong throughout his lifetime.
He graduated from Twin Rivers Valley High School in Bode Iowa with the class of 1970. He furthered his education by first earning an associate degree at Iowa Central in 1972, and later his BA in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1974 where he met his wife Pat. On August 10, 1974, he was united in marriage to Patricia Bolton at the Hawthorne Methodist Church in Emerson, Iowa. After graduation, Rod worked with his father at the Bradgate Co-Op. In 1976, they moved to Oskaloosa and Rod began his career as a 6th grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School. Many in the community still remember “Mr. Hacker” for his time in the classroom, as well as his role as a coach and mentor. During his summer breaks, he worked at the meat counter at Fareway in Oskaloosa. In 1992, he took a job at Cablevey in Oskaloosa, and was part of their installation team traveling and installing Cablevey systems. In 1994, Panel Components (now Interpower) moved their operations to Oskaloosa and Rod went to work for them. He stayed there until his retirement on May 29, 2020, after 26 years of service. He was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa where he served in many capacities including, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Elder, and Treasurer to name a few.
Rod truly enjoyed girls’ basketball both as a coach and a fan. He was a purist at heart and never quite got over six-on-six girls’ basketball becoming a thing of the past. He eventually embraced the change and continued to enjoy following the WNBA. Rod’s heart was as big as his stature. When he told a story, it was always “Come on, help me here….you know who I’m talking about….so-and-so’s sister or brother.” He had a way of drawing everyone into the conversation. He was equally known for his booming voice— a voice that never needed a microphone and could carry down a school hallway all the way to the teachers’ lounge. He always had a kind word or a fun story to share and never missed a chance to catch up on the happenings in his friends and families’ lives.
His family includes his children, Jason (Jessica) Hacker of Oskaloosa, Bryan Hacker of Oskaloosa, Steven (Katie) Hacker of Eddyville, and Erika (John) Wiley of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; seven grandchildren, Jacob Hacker, Hayle (David) Butler, Holdin Hacker, Emilly Hacker, Nicholas Schnerre, Kayla Shroyer, and Kyle Robinson; two great grandchildren; a brother and his wife, Virgil (Mary) Hacker of Dakota City, Iowa; two sisters, Marsha Hacker of Dakota City, Iowa and Denise Hacker of Ottoson, Iowa; brothers and sisters in law, Virginia Hacker (Frank’s widow), Jerry Bolton, Michael Bolton, Greg Eggers, Carolyn Bolton, Amy (Kerry) Confer, and Julie Bolton; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Hacker on January 23, 2016; his parents Virgil and Lola, a brother, Frank Hacker; his father and mother-in-law, Irvin and Connie Bolton; and sisters in laws, Gwen Eggers, Mary Ellen Bolton, Kathy Bolton, and Susan Bolton.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 12, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Sam Beltz officiating. Burial will be in the Beacon Cemetery west of Beacon. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Thursday, June 11, 2026, after 11:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel on Thursday evening from 5-8 to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa.
