Roger Joseph Heisterkamp 1936-2004

HEISTERKAMP DETTERMAN MOLLE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 10/28/2010 at 22:46:01

Sioux City Journal
2 April 2004

BLENCOE, Iowa -- Roger J. Heisterkamp, 67, of Blencoe died Wednesday, March 31, 2004, at his residence.

Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Blencoe, with the Rev. Harry D. McAlpine officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the American Legion Stevens Kelley Post 665. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a Scripture prayer service at 7 p.m. followed by a rosary, at Rush Family Care Service in Onawa, Iowa.

Roger was born July 15, 1936, on the family farm near Blencoe, the son of Frank and Martha (Detterman) Heisterkamp. He graduated from Blencoe High School in 1954.

He married Mary Joanne Molle on Dec. 28, 1955. The couple made their home and raised their seven children near Blencoe, where he was a lifelong farmer.

In 1956, he joined the 185th Tactical Fighter Group of the Air National Guard, where he received his wings and became a jet fighter pilot. He rose to the rank of captain and received an honorable discharge in 1972.

He was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church, a charter member of the Onawa/Blencoe Knights of Columbus 6249 Third Degree and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He served on the Monona County Extension Council, was a life long democrat, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a volunteer with Sioux Warriors 4-H Club.

He loved flying jets, farming, family, deer hunting, camping and fishing.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Joanne of Blencoe; his children, Wayne and Rhonda MacClure of Hornick, Iowa, Roland and Rebecca Heisterkamp of Onawa, Iowa, Barbara Heisterkamp and Dr. Fred Petty of Omaha, Stan Heisterkamp of Omaha, John and Lina Heisterkamp of Blencoe, Rodney and Angie Heisterkamp of Omaha and Doug and Jodi Heisterkamp of Stillwater, Okla.; nine grandchildren, Jeremy and Heather MacClure, Rachel and Mary MacClure, Joe and William Heisterkamp, Alex Petty, Liann Heisterkamp, Nick Allen and Sara Olson and Elizabeth Allen; a great-grandchild, Connor Allen; five sisters, Yvonne Hanneman of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Verla Benjamin of Onawa, Iowa, Ardith Olson of Onawa, Mavis Ryan of Blencoe and Gayle Keele of Omaha; three brothers and their wives, Delbert and Yvonne of Onawa, Franklin and Wanda of Blencoe and Ronald and Geraldine of Mondamin, Iowa; and a sister-in-law, Patricia Heisterkamp of Onawa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Glenn Heisterkamp.