FERCH, Roger Elton 1930-2007

FERCH, SMITH, GILBERT

Posted By: K. Kittleson
Date: 11/30/2008 at 22:04:03

Visitation:
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Hauser Funeral Home
1205 South Main
Charles City, Iowa

Service:
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
106 Chapel Lane
Charles City, Iowa

Roger Ferch, 77, of Charles City, was called home to leave his family and friends on Monday, September 10, 2007. He was tenderly cared for by Hospice of North Iowa and Floyd County Memorial Hospital.

The family would like to invite all of Rogers's friends and family to a celebration of Rogers life to be held at the VFW in Charles City on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m.

Roger Elton Ferch was born August 17, 1930, near Carrville, the son of John and Mable (Smith) Ferch. Roger the “Lodger” graduated from Charles City High School in 1950 with sports being his specialty. He excelled in football and never tired of reliving his team’s victories (very few defeats, by the way). Roger enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War, serving as an MP often referred to as “mother away from home”. On February 9, 1955, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Gilbert at Ionia. To this union nine children were born. Dorothy died on May 10, 1988. Roger then married Carol Jean Freiberg- Kernes on February 22, 1992. At that time five more children were brought into the family.

A carpenter by trade, Rog worked for Tri-Ad Construction and then spread his wings and organized his own Roger Ferch Construction. He worked with many friends through the years including Jerry and Larry Mracek, Dick, Tom and Keith Eckenrod, and Joe Lindeman to mention just a few. Sons Joe and Jim, and nephews Keith and Tom Eckenrod joined Roger in these latest years and then retired his hammer at 75 years young. He was a loyal and dedicated member of the VFW and was instrumental in building the current VFW building located on North Grand in Charles City. After retirement, Roger took up housekeeping, ceiling to floor, he even did windows. Wednesday was laundry day, he rarely took a rest.

Roger was a wonderful story teller and he always loved having the whole family and his dear friends for Christmas and the fourth of July. His oyster stew and seafood platters were outstanding and he was a heck of a grill cook. Roger was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and confident that they would win the pennant this year. There was never a more loving and devoted father and husband. At the time of his death he was surrounded by all of his children and many of his grandchildren. We are all very grateful for every moment and memory we had with DAD!!

Living family members include his wife, Jean of Charles City; 12 children, Jackie Ferch and Judy Ferch of Mason City, Joyce (Dick) Heitz, Janit (Scott) Heinz, Joan (Jim) Reams, James Ferch and Joe (Glenda) Ferch all of Charles City, Jean (Jim) Breitkreutz of Colwell, Bob Kernes of Adel, Laurie Kernes-Pederson of Charles City, Tim (Kim) Kernes of Winterset and Katie (Giri) Kernes-Ramgopal, Luton, England; 27 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; three sisters, Betty Castor, Lorraine Eckenrod and Doris (Dean) Bertlesen all of Charles City; and a brother, Jerry (Sandra) Ferch of Downers Grove, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Dorothy; a daughter, Jane Ferch; two brothers, Donald and Paul Ferch; a step son, Patrick Kernes; and a step grandchild, Scott Kernes.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa, 1003 Gilbert Street, Charles City, Iowa.

[Hauser Funeral Home obituary - www.hauserfh.com]