Roger Thede

Roger Thede, 86 of Reinbeck, Iowa, died Saturday May 26th 2007, at University Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa, of natural causes. He was born December 3, 1920, in Reinbeck, son of August and Elsie (Ramundt) Thede. He was raised in Reinbeck and graduated from Reinbeck High School in 1941. Roger was in the Unites States Army with the 50th General Hospital Unit during World War II. On January 1, 1947 Midnight New Years Eve he married Norma Niedermann of Reinbeck. In 1948 Roger started working at John Deere Tractor in Waterloo, Iowa, as a Precision Gauge Repairman a job he held till he retired in 1982, he was also a member of the Fire Brigade while employed at John Deere. Roger and Norma also operated Thede?s Flower Shop and Green House for 15 years; they sold wholesale plants to other flower shops and green houses in the surrounding areas. Roger was a member of The Happy Hour Group, Masonic Lodge, Shriners, American Legion, Eastern Star, and the Lions Club. In 1969 Roger served as President of the local Lion?s Club, at which the International Lions Convention was held in Japan and he and Norma attended. He loved golfing, fishing, traveling, repairing watches and loved to attend sporting events, which his many nieces and nephews participated in. He was an individual that loved to be organized as he was somewhat a perfectionist. Roger loved most of all being with his family and friends.
Surviving Roger is his wife Norma of Reinbeck, son Jay and wife Sandy Thede of Mason City, IA, daughter Vicki and husband Jerry Lage of Perry, IA, son Fred Thede of Livermore, CA, son Bill and wife Maureen Thede of Dallas, PA, 7 Grandchildren and 4 Great grandchildren. Also surviving is his brothers James Westergaard of Reinbeck, IA , John Westergaard of Kendallville, IN, and nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceding Roger in death were his parents, August Thede and Elsie Schroeder, brothers Walter and Raymond Thede.