Roger Harlan Eilderts

Roger Harlan Eilderts, age 81, passed away on December 26, 2023. He was born on March 31, 1942, on a farm southwest of Parkersburg, Iowa, to Harm and Frances (Korte) Eilderts. Roger went to country school through the 8^th grade and in 1955 moved to Aplington where he graduated from Aplington High School in 1960.

He was active in the 4-H and FFA showing Holstein calves at the Butler and Grundy County Fairs. Roger later went to trade school in Omaha for a year and worked at Webers in Ackley for 2 years. In 1964, Roger joined the Army Reserves, where he did 6 months active duty at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, and later served in the 404 Signal Corp in Waterloo.

Roger married Frances Ohling in September 1964 and started a family. To this union they had 3 sons David, Dale, and Derek.  They later divorced. He later met Dee in January 2000 at a singles in agriculture group. They married on January 3, 2009, and lived on the farm south of Wellsburg.  He was a wonderful loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Roger enjoyed God’s nature and farming. He especially loved sunsets, sunrises, and antique tractor rides. He also enjoyed gathering with family to celebrate holidays and birthdays.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Dianne, in infancy.

He is survived by his wife Dee Eilderts of rural Wellsburg, by three sons, David (Diane) Eilderts of Dike, Dale (Shelley) Eilderts of Wellsburg, and Derek (Sarah) Eilderts of Corcoran, Minnesota, and stepchildren Chris (Randy) Kaune of Hawkeye, Colleen (Ken) Heath of Stockton, Illinois, Mike (Wanda) Kohlmeyer of Hawkeye, and Mark (Janet) Kohlmeyer of Guttenberg. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Zach (Molly), Mason, Jill, Jayne, Joy, Kaitlyn, and Heidi Eilderts and two great granddaughters, Kinlee, and Tori.  He is also survived by 17 step-grandchildren and 22 step great grandchildren.