"Roger and Marilyn lived across the street from us on Clark for several years and were great neighbors. I?ve enjoyed watching the video of his life, and remembering that beautiful smile and a man who was always up for a good time. He lived a long full life. How blessed all of you are to be his family! Beth Wunder "
In loving memory of
Roger Sogard
March 7, 1927 - April 14, 2024
Roger lived a full and interesting life. In 1944 after graduating from Forest City High School in Forest City, Iowa, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard when he was 17 years old. He was stationed on an ice cutter named USCG "Arundel" in the North Atlantic in the Greenland area. In June 1946 he was discharged. In 1947 Roger then used his GI benefits and attended Chillicothe Business College in Chillicothe, MO. He studied accounting and telegraphy. He was fortunate to get a job in 1948 with Chicago Northwestern Railway as an Agent and Telegrapher relieving agents/operators while they were on vacation or ill. After enough seniority he was able to bid on a permanent job and has worked in many small Iowa towns through the years. Some of them were Orange City, Woolstock, Algona, Alden, Eagle Grove, Webster City, Jewell, Hampton, and Iowa Falls.
In 1950 he married a cute red-haired gal that he enjoyed roller skating with in Forest City. Her name was Marilyn Anderson, the two were married at the Calvary Baptist Church in Forest City on September 16, 1950. They had three children.
After a long and fulfilling career with the Chicago Northwestern Railroad he took an early retirement in 1988 with 38 years of service. He wasn't the kind of person to stay home much, he enjoyed people, new adventures, and he enjoyed driving to new places, He started working at Winnebago in Forest City delivering motor homes. He drove throughout the United States and Canada, as well. Sometimes he got a chance to deliver near family in California, which was a treat for him. Another part time job Roger enjoyed was working for Iowa State University Agronomy Dept. He would pick up corn samples from various plots all over the state and deliver them back to Ames for testing. Another fun job he had was working for Enterprise delivering cars in the Auto Rental Dept. Many times, he picked up clients and had a new friend after the trip. All of these part time retirement jobs involved driving and people. He enjoyed the camaraderie of coworkers and most of the time he traveled in groups at these jobs. Marilyn and Roger enjoyed wintering in Arizona for about 14 years and spent lots of time with relatives there. Roger loved the Lord, his family, and his heritage. He would joke he was 110% Norwegian; he was proud and honored to serve his Country in WWII. Roger had an innate ability to connect with people and assume the best in everyone.
He is survived by his children: Brian (Rita) Sogard, Woodland, CA, Janene (George) Noble, Ames, IA, and Kirk (Denise) Sogard, Chandler, AZ. He has 3 grandsons Shawn (Faye) Sogard, Jason (Carrie) Noble, NW Spain, Scott Noble, Milwaukee, WI. 4 great grandsons Jonas, Asher, Caleb and Judah Noble, and 2 great granddaughters; Oliva and Victoria Sogard, Lincoln, CA.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Sogard in 2017, his parents, and his brothers Kenneth in 1989, and Lewis in 2023.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, starting at 10:00 a.m. at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care (414 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa 50010) with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Memorial can be directed to Alzheimer's Association, http://www.alz.org/ or a Hospice of your choice.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Tributes
"What a marvelous man! And just think, he was there in heaven to welcome Quentin! The tribute movie is amazing and speaks to the gentle greatness and kindness and love of this man! I love the pictures of Aunt Marilyn looking at him adoringly."
"I first met Roger as a driver for a dealership in Ames. I was then reacquainted with him at Bethany Life, visiting his wife. I so enjoyed Roger, his gentle manor, caring heart. On the anniversary of her passing, he came up to Bethany, just to be present and remember. May the love you feel from him and those who knew Roger, help you through this difficult time. ?There is truly something special about this generation to marvel at?. Barb "
"Very sorry for the loss of your beloved dad. - Jean and Vijay Sharma "
"So sorry for your loss Janene. Ken and Sharon Larwick"
"My name is Eugene Pearson and my father in law was Delmar Gifford of Boone,Iowa. I first met Roger in 2007 - I think I had taken Delmar to a railroad history presentation where Roger was in attendance. Delmar was a dispatcher for the Chicago Great Western Railroad and he was transferred in later years to Boone. Delmar also was an Army veteran. Soon after becoming friends with Roger I learned that he and I had a bond in Forest City, Iowa. I would always laugh that half of Forest City were my relatives as I had uncles and aunts and cousins from my mom and from my dad's side of the family living in Forest City. I grew up in Des Moines. When visiting with Roger he knew many of my relatives and some of their farms were right next to Marilyn's family. In August, 2009 I had the honor of being with Delmar on an honor flight to Washington D C. Roger was on that same plane. We three walked around the new World War II memorial and shook hands with Senator Bob Dole who was there to greet each of the veterans. Delmar passed away in December, 2016 so we have not been in that part of Iowa much but have kept in contact with Roger through phone calls and Christmas cards/letters. Roger was a wonderful friend who was always such a pleasure to visit with. I am very saddened to learn of Roger's passing and my heart goes out to his family - he was a true gentleman and such a treasure to be around. Gene Pearson eupears705@gmail.com"