MINNIS, William "Roger" 1925-2014

MINNIS, GRAVES, SWANCUTT

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 12/11/2014 at 11:43:31

William "Roger" Minnis

Birth date: April 2, 1925
Death date: December 10, 2014

Obituary--

William “Roger” Minnis age 89, of Riceville, Iowa, passed away at the Patty Elwood Center in Cresco, Iowa, on Wednesday December 10, 2014 where he had been cared for since March of 2013.

Roger was born April 2, 1925 on the family farm, in rural Riceville. He was the only child of Hugh and Bessie (Graves) Minnis. He was always called “Roger” to avoid confusion with the grandfathers, both named William. He attended rural schools Jenkins #4 and Riceville High School. On August 19th, 1945 Roger and Anita Swancutt were united in marriage at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They were blessed with a son Leland and a daughter Iris.

Roger lived his entire life on the family farm, being the third generation. He enjoyed working the land and caring for his Polled Hereford Cattle. He liked horses and had a riding horse until arthritis made him give it up. Roger was always fond of his farm dogs. When he was in high school he took a welding class, which benefited him much in his farming. He was a “Fixer”.

He would buy a new piece of machinery and spend two or three days remaking the hitch to better fit his tractor. He made hitches to pull five hay rakes together, the first of its kind in the area, and people driving by would stop to take another look.

Roger served on the local school board, the Little Cedar Elevator Board, a township trustee for 18 years 16 of those years as chairman. He became a member of the David Community Church in 1940. He was a faithful member, serving as Treasurer, Trustee and Deacon.

Roger was always ready to lend a helping hand. He enjoyed his grandchildren as they grew up. With the partnership and help of his son he was able to continue farming, which he loved, far beyond his normal productive years.

Surviving are his wife of 69 years Anita of Riceville, a son Leland and his wife Nancy of Riceville and their children Karrie (Steve) Belanger, children Stephany and Nick, of New Hampshire, Kevin (Kim),and their children Jayden and Josie of Ankeny, Iowa, Kelly (Rose) and their children Madison and Brianna of St. Ansgar, Iowa. A daughter Iris and her husband Gary Baxter, and their son Rick (Floy) and their son Luke of Nashua, Iowa, Rod (Mindy) and their children Navy, Nadia and Aila of Harlan, Iowa.

Visitation:
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, December 12, 2014 At the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Riceville.

Service:
10:30 am on Saturday, December 13, 2014 At the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Riceville.

Cemetery:
Riverside Cemetery in Riceville.

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home