Richard Green, 79, of Genoa, Nebraska, died Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Faith Health in Norfolk, Nebraska., surrounded by his loving family.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, July 1, at Augustana Lutheran Church with Rev. Adam Klinker officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM and continue Wednesday, from 9:30 AM until service time, all at the church. Interment will be in Valley View Cemetery with military honors by Edward H. Larson Post #144 American Legion. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Genoa Historical Museum or Augustana Lutheran Church.

Rich was born to Harvey and Shirley (Jacobsen) Green on January 25, 1947. He grew up in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska, graduating from Genoa Public School in 1965. Following graduation, he began working at the Genoa Coop before answering the call to serve his country in the United States Army. While enlisted, he made a close friend from New Jersey, and through that friendship, Rich was convinced to go on a blind date: a moment that unexpectedly introduced him to the love of his life, who happened to live a long way from the middle of Nebraska.

After a long-distance relationship proved to be a forever kind of love, Rich and Carol (Bartels) were united in marriage on July 13, 1974, in Millville, New Jersey. The couple chose to build their life together back in Nebraska, settling in Genoa. Rich returned to his career at the Genoa Coop and later dedicated fifteen years of hard work to Lindsay Manufacturing.

Together, Rich and Carol blessed their lives with two sons. They raised their family in Genoa, continuing to reside in the very home they proudly built alongside their boys. Through their sons, Rich welcomed two "bonus" daughters-in-law, four golden-hearted grandsons, and one cherished princess of a granddaughter. These five were blessings he never took for granted.

Rich was an avid storyteller, a dedicated coffee drinker, and a man who loved with all his heart. His absolute greatest joy in life was his grandchildren. Whether he was showing up for a sporting event (or asking Carol about what was going on via GameChanger), a school concert, or just taking a quick trip for ice cream, he cherished every moment spent with them. Some of his fondest memories included family vacations over the years, from Disney World trips as his sons grew up, to New Jersey adventures with his grandkids. His grandchildren will especially miss his affectionate eye-rolls whenever Grandma added "one more thing they needed" to the shopping cart, and the warm, freely given hugs that always welcomed them.

Rich is survived and lovingly remembered by: His wife: Carol Green of Genoa, NE; His sons & daughters-in-law: Bob (Stacey) Green of Genoa, NE, and Matt (Jaime) Green of Palmer, NE; His sister & brother-in-law: Ginette (John) Small of Fullerton, NE; His grandchildren: Carter and Cooper of Genoa, and Kyler, Kynsley, and Kyndrek of Palmer, NE. Many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Shirley Green.