In loving memory of

Roger Lee Gerlach
November 19, 1944 - September 27, 2012

Roger Lee Gerlach, 67, of Maquoketa and formerly of Bellevue, passed away Thursday morning, Sept. 27, 2012, at his home after a valiant struggle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M., Monday, Oct. 1, 2012, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Maquoketa. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Maquoketa. Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 P.M. on Sunday, September 30, 2012, from the Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa, Iowa, where a 4:45 P.M. Rosary Service will be recited.

Roger Gerlach, son of Leo and Hilda (Homan) Gerlach of rural Bellevue, was born Nov. 19, 1944, on the family farm southeast of Bellevue. He completed an eighth grade education in rural Jackson County schools.

He married LaVonne Bormann on April 12, 1969, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Preston.

Roger found his calling working the land and raising the livestock on the family farm. The couple raised their three daughters on the farm and lived there until March of 2012.

He loved farming, family, and his three grandchildren.

Roger is survived by his wife, LaVonne; three daughters, Kim (and Tim) Riggle of Middle Amana, Kristy (and Mark) Cole of Cedar Rapids, and Kelly Gerlach of Maquoketa; three grandchildren, Kaitlin and Lauren Riggle and Logan Cole; two brothers, Orville (and Karen) Gerlach of Andrew and Richard (and Heather) Gerlach of Papillion, Neb.; two sisters, Rita (and Elliott) Lee of California and Mary Banowetz of Maquoketa; two sisters-in-law, Phyllis (and Joe) Wingert of Oelwein and Carol (and Steve) Lucke of rural Andrew; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Donald Gerlach, Arnold Gerlach, and Cletus Gerlach.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Roger Lee Gerlach memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.

Tributes

kristy cole wrote on Sep 25, 2013:

"A year has almost come and gone...i thought as time went by..a passing of a dear one was supposed to get easier...guess it just means that ur livlihood will always be around us..love u dad "

kristy wrote on Dec 20, 2012:

"Christmas is drawing near...thinking of you each and every day....miss u dearly...lve u"

kristy wrote on Nov 16, 2012:

"Just thinking of you right now....always needing your strength....live u dad���"

Kim wrote on Oct 9, 2012:

"Love you and miss you dad!"

rita mae lee wrote on Oct 1, 2012:

"i will roger very much. he was a loving caring guy he was my third youngest brother. my sister and i use take him around the house outside the house and try to get him to go to sleep. it worked.love rita mae and elliott lee "

Jessica Skoff wrote on Sep 30, 2012:

"Aunt LaVonne and family, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Uncle Roger. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. "

Scott & Tami Skoff and Family wrote on Sep 30, 2012:

"We are so saddened by the news of Uncle Roger's passing. Please know that you are all in our prayers during this difficult time. "

kids wrote on Sep 30, 2012:

"we all miss you grandpa "

Lori Bormann wrote on Sep 30, 2012:

"Dear Aunt LaVonne, Kim, Kristy and Kelly and Family, I'm so sorry to hear about Uncle Roger's passing. Uncle Roger was a very loving and caring family man. He always worked so hard on the farm and treasured the livestock he always had. His laughter with his charming smile will never be forgotten by me. He will be deeply missed by everyone, for he was one great man. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers through this difficult time. I pray the love of God enfolds you all during your journey through grief. Sending sincere sympathy, thoughts of comfort, love and hugs from Singapore, Lori and Marl "

Brad Skoff & Family wrote on Sep 30, 2012:

"I always remember Roger as kind and gentle uncle. He was a good person and his kindness will always live on. My family expresses our sympathies and send warm hugs from Sweden. Brad, Julie, Luke, Laura"

Tina Hickson wrote on Sep 29, 2012:

"Kim, Lavonne, and family, Thinking of you all! May the thoughts and prayers from those around you provide comfort during this difficult time."

Mary Helen Murphy,nee Lee wrote on Sep 28, 2012:

"I remember visting at the farm house in the early 80's and had a lt of fun with the girls! My heart goes out to the immediate family as well as his siblings and loved ones (Daughter of Rita Mae)"

LuAnn Goeke wrote on Sep 28, 2012:

"Kelly and family. So sorry to hear of your loss. He must have been a great man to have such a wonderful family."

Lorraine Weis Houghton wrote on Sep 28, 2012:

"I remember Roger as being a nice, quiet guy who was one grade lower than me at Sts. Peter and Paul School in Springbrook. I have not seen Roger since I left Springbrook, when I was 17. My sympathy to his family. So sorry about the loss. "

Bob and LeMay Paulsen wrote on Sep 28, 2012:

"Lavonne you have our sympathy. May God fill you with his peace and love."

Bill Burgeson wrote on Sep 28, 2012:

"Kim and family, Keep the faith and know that we are praying for you during this difficult time! "

Kathy and Pat McCloy wrote on Sep 28, 2012:

"Kelly, We are so very sorry to hear about your loss! Words just do not suffice at times like this. Please know that you and all your family will be in our thoughts and prayers! Cherish your memories and through them he will live on. May you find some comfort in the support of those who care. "

Jennifer Meyer wrote on Sep 28, 2012:

"Kim and Family, Thinking of you! Don't hesitate to call, text, e-mail if there is anything you need. Sending hugs!"

Andy Svoboda wrote on Sep 28, 2012:

"Kim, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please know that we are all here for you if you need anything."

Tanya Roeder-MSB wrote on Sep 28, 2012:

"Kelly- Our sympathies on the loss of your dad. We are thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. "

Laura McCurdy wrote on Sep 28, 2012:

"Kim, My deepest sympathies to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May you find comfort in the memories you hold dear. "

Stefanie Ronan wrote on Sep 28, 2012:

"Kim and family sorry for you loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all."

Traci Hop wrote on Sep 28, 2012:

"Kim and Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. "

Jamie Bormann wrote on Sep 28, 2012:

"Kim and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you all. . . take comfort in your family and friends, smile and laugh at the wonderful / funny memories you all shared, cry when you need to and hug each other often - Jamie and family"

Laurie Rath wrote on Sep 28, 2012:

"Kim, Tim and Family: very saddened to hear of your loss, Kimer - - hang in there and know all our thoughts are with you and your family."

Dr. Don And Colleen Schwenker wrote on Sep 28, 2012:

"Our thoughts and prayers to your family in this difficult time. "

Ken and Chris Weuste wrote on Sep 27, 2012:

"Lavonne and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers. May the Lord give you strength and peace knowing Roger no longer has any pain or fear! He is free from all of this! Safe in God's loving arms."

Kathy Riggle wrote on Sep 27, 2012:

"Ron and I will always cherish the time spent at the Gerlach and Riggle family events. Roger always had a smile on his face, and it was apparent that his family was everything to him. Rest in peace dear man."

Donita Dohrn wrote on Sep 27, 2012:

"Kelly and family, I was so saddened to hear of your loss. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers at this time."