Wardenburg, Roger Victor 1944-2007

WARDENBURG, MEINKE, GEERY

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/25/2008 at 15:35:13

Roger Victor Wardenburg was born on April 2, 1944, in Marengo, the son of Victor and Loretta (Meinke) Wardenburg.

Roger was raised in Williamsburg, where he graduated with the class of 1962. He attended Iowa State University before entering the United States Navy. Following his honorable discharge he returned to Iowa.

On Feb. 24, 1967, he was united in marriage to Karen Geery in Nashville, Tenn., and to this union three children were born: Jennifer, Victoria and Darrick.

Roger and Karen lived in Cedar Rapids where Roger managed the Giant Store for 15 years. The couple moved their family to Knoxville in 1984. Roger and Karen worked together as groundskeepers at the Knoxville Raceway for 18 years and drove school bus for the Knoxville School District. For the last several years he has driven a semi for Brooks Trucking. He also served as a Marion County Sheriff Reserve Deputy for many years.

Over the years Roger has enjoyed camping and traveling with his family, especially enjoying historical points of interest. He enjoyed large family gatherings and loved the annual family camp-out in Lancaster, Mo. He liked golfing, playing cribbage, leather working, Native American History, black raspberry and mushroom hunting and motorcycling. He was at peace when planting trees etc., and enjoyed caring for the plantings. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, Marion County Historical Society, Marion County Sportsmen's Club, Iowa State Reserve Law Officer's Association and the Marion County Sheriff's Reserve.

Roger passed away at the Pella Hospice Comfort House on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, at the age of 63.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Allen Wardenburg.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Karen; children, Jennifer (Rob) Taylor of Cedar Rapids, Victoria Wardenburg of San Antonio, Texas, and Darrick (Christine Layng) of Rockford, Ill., and six grandchildren.

Services were held Oct. 20 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Additional Services were held at the Earl Glandorf residence in Homestead on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007. Burial was in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Williamsburg.

Memorials may go to Trinity Lutheran Church or Pella Hospice Comfort House.

The Knoxville Journal Express, November 2, 2007