ROGERS, Reatha V. 1904-1991

ROGERS, BURGER, ESTES

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 3/16/2019 at 13:01:46

Reatha Rogers

Reatha Vera Burger Rogers was born in rural Glenwood, Iowa March 9, 1904, the first born of Clyde and Ethel Estes Burger.

Reatha attended Tabor country school until at eight years of age when her family moved to Blair, NE. In 1915, Preacher Warren baptized Reatha at the Estes family Christian Church of Blair.

In Blair, she attended Central School until graduation. Her higher education was at Normal College, where she obtained her teacher's certificate. Reatha taught in the country schools of Washington County. She taught at Krushunk High School and became Principal of Ranch Consolidated School which contained grades one through twelve.

In her parental home of Blair on May 25, 1927, Frank Rogers and Reatha were united in marriage. They lived in Woodbine; Ft. Dodge; Duncumbe; Wall Lake; Nora, Ill.; until moving to Parkersburg, in 1937. Frank took the position of Illinois Central Depot Agent. While living in Parkersburg, they were active in the First Congregational Church and the community. Reatha taught Sunday School, was a member of Women's Guild and Missionary Society, a member of the Arts and Crafts Club, the Women's Club and a Charter member of the Parkersburg Historical Society. She helped in the public school by tutoring in English, Spelling, Reading, and Mathematics. Reatha had articles and stories accepted in the children's magazine "Highlights". She worked at the Parkersburg Eclipse as a newspaper reporter for about 30 years under the owners Dan Ryan and Don Munson. Her husband's and her hobby was growing vegetables and flowers which they shared with churches, families and friends.

The couple were blessed with four sons and one daughter: Charles of North Fort Meyers, Florida, Robert of Dunkerton, Richard (Deceased) of Gretna, Nebraska, Franklyn of Davenport, and R. Cheryl (Sue) Kruger of Wellsburg.

She is survived by 3 sons, one daughter, 19 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, 3 sisters: Mrs. Lela (Ross) Love of Blair, Nebraska, Mrs. Helen Kepler & Mrs. Wilma Melton both of Ft. Dodge: and one brother, J. Marshall Burger of Blair, Nebraska.

Preceding her in death were her husband; one son, Richard; one grandson, Todd Rogers; one granddaughter, Pamela Kruger; her parents, Clyde and Ethel Burger; and one sister, Mildred Beck.

Reatha V. Burger Rogers passed away at Cape Coral Hospital in Florida on Tuesday, April 16, 1991.

Schwartz-Engelkes Funeral Home was in charge of the funeral arrangements.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 1991, in the First Congregational Church with Rev. Rod Wetzig officiating. Arlyce Lindeman was the organist and Julie Jordan sang "Eye Is On A Sparrow" & "Day Is Over". The congregational hymn was "In The Garden". Casketbearers were: Steven, Jeffrey, Timothy and Patrick Rogers and Roger Kruger. Honorary bearers: Bruce, Larry, David, Thomas, Ronald, and Dennis Rogers; Charles and John McClure; Ronald Osborn; Michael, Peter, Sean, Derek, and Brandon Rogers; and Anthony Bauwens. Committal Services were held in the Garden of Memories Chapel in Waterloo, with interment in the Masonic Section of the Garden of Memories.

--Eclipse News-Review (Parkersburg, Iowa), 24 April 1991, pg 14