Roger Alan Anderson

Roger A. Anderson, 69, of Clarion passed away Sunday, February 18, 2018 at his home.

Memorial services for Roger Anderson will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church, 201 3rd Avenue North East in Clarion, with Pastor Mike Gudka officiating.

Visitation will be held beginning at 9:00 AM until service time at the church on Saturday.

Roger Alan Anderson was born January 9, 1949 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Morris and Florence (Vroman) Anderson. He was raised and educated in Clarion, graduating with the class of 1967.

Following high school, Roger enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving during Vietnam.

Roger was united in marriage to Julie Carolus on October 21, 1972 at the Clarion United Methodist Church.

After his honorable discharge from the service, Roger began working various jobs, all the while pursuing his higher education. He eventually earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota in Mechanical Engineering and later earned another in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin.

During his career, Roger worked for a number of Fortune 500 companies before accepting a position at Canterbury Downs in Shakopee, Minnesota. Eventually, a position at Fort Dodge Animal Health brought the family back to the Clarion area. Later, he worked in Peoria, Illinois on a renovation project for 5 of the area libraries and with the Peoria school system before retiring due to his illness.

Roger was an extremely talented wood carver. He carved and painted birds and other various wildlife as well as large pieces for friends and family, or to be donated and sold at charity events. In 2017, he entered 5 pieces at the Iowa State Fair and won ribbons for each (3 blue, 1 red, 1 yellow). He was an avid hunter and fisherman, a collector of coins, stamps, fishing poles, as well as other items, and enjoyed restoring and flipping houses. He worked hard and succeeded in everything he did.

Roger will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was known to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed a lift. Roger loved life and he will be missed by all that knew him.

Left to cherish Roger’s memory is his wife, Julie of Clarion; sons Courtney (Kristin) Anderson and their children Wesley, Whitney and Brynn and Curtis (Nicole) Anderson and their children Parker, Paige, Grant and Grace; his sister Paula (Stan) Erickson; his brother Robert (Karen) Anderson; brother-in-law Ron Nigg; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Roger is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Pat Nigg.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations can be made in Roger’s honor to the Wounded Warrior Project, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Gateway Hospice and sent to the family’s attention at: Ewing Funeral Home, P.O. Box 363, Clarion, IA 50525.