Roger L. MOLLENBECK

MOLLENBECK, MADSEN, LIND, BALLHAGEN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/1/2008 at 19:55:32

July 15, 1952 - February 18, 2004

HAMPTON - Roger L. Mollenbeck, 51, of Hampton died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2004, at home. Funeral services were Saturday, Feb. 21, at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jim Stiles, Rev. Jo Frahm, Watkins First United Methodist Church and Rev. Arthur J. Zewert, Zion Reformed Church officiating. Following cremation, inurnment will take place at a later date in Zion Reformed Church Cemetery, rural Sheffield.

Roger was born July 15, 1952, in Hampton to Dale and Norma (Madsen) Mollenbeck. He attended church and Sunday School as a child and young man. Roger's first experiences as an organist were in his home church playing for Sunday evening services. Roger graduated from CAL Community High School, Latimer, and earned his music degree from Northwestern College, Orange City, in May of 1974. He served the following school systems as a vocal music teacher: Nora Springs-Rock Falls, Belmond, Fairfax County (Virginia), Ballard of Huxley, Clear Lake and Meservey-Thornton-Sheffield-Chapin. He also worked at the Hampton-Dumont Community Schools as choral pianist for the middle and high school choirs. His church music work included Zion Reformed Church, rural Sheffield; American Reformed Church, Orange City; First Christian Church, Mason City; National City Christian Church, Washington DC; Immanuel United Church of Christ, Latimer; Messiah Lutheran Church, Mason City; First Congregational United Church of Christ, Mason City and was currently the director of music and organist at First United Methodist Church, Mason City. Roger was the organist for thousands of Sunday services during his lifetime and for hundreds of weddings and funeral services. Roger was the "on call" organist for many of the funeral homes in North Iowa, and was currently the chapel organist with Major Erickson Funeral Home, Mason City. Roger enjoyed traveling and family history research. He wrote a book entitled, "Mollenbeck Family History" in 1983. Northwestern College, Orange City, honored Roger with the Music Alumni Award in 1992, and an invitation to present the Tulip Festival Organ Concerts in 2000. Roger was an active member of the North Iowa Chapter American Guild of Organists, where he had been an officer. His church membership was with Zion Reformed Church where he had been very active with organizing the music commitees for the church centennial in 1990.

Survivors include his mother, Norma Mollenbeck of Hampton; two sisters, Cindy Lind of Newton and Tami Ballhagen and husband Kevin of Sheffield; one brother, Todd Mollenbeck and wife Linda of Latimer; and his nieces and nephews, Christopher and Kelly Lind, Trevor , Mark, Shelby and Carley Ballhagen. Roger was preceded in death by his grandparents; father, Dale; and two nephews, Travis Ballhagen and Cody Mollenbeck. Memorials may be given to the Roger Mollenbeck Memorial Fund. Major Erickson Funeral Home of Mason City was in charge of arrangements.

©Iowa Falls Times-Citizen
02/24/2004