Roger E. Schwenke
Memorial Mass for Roger E. Schwenke will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Orleans, Nebraska with Rosary being recited prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Maurice Current officiating. Inurnment will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Minden Cemetery, Minden, Nebraska with Military Honors provided by the Orleans Harold Morin Post #184 and Minden American Legion Post #94 along with the United States Army Funeral Honors Team.
Roger Eugene Schwenke, 95 years of age of Alma, Nebraska, formerly of Orleans, passed away on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Society - Colonial Villa in Alma. Roger was born on October 4, 1928, in Minden, Nebraska, the first of two children born to Albert and Ruby (Evans) Schwenke.
On March 26, 1951, Roger was united in marriage to Ardella A.
Graham at St. John’s Catholic Church in Minden, Nebraska, and to this union, three children were born: Susan, Pat, and Tim.
Roger was enlisted in the Army from 19461947 as a Rifleman.
Later he farmed on the family farm outside of Minden. He took care of his parents and his brother during that time.
After selling the farm the family moved to Orleans and he became the farm manager for Orleans Milling in 1968 and worked for them for 18 years until it was sold in 1986. After that, he sold Mormon Feed for several years. Roger then found the thing that he truly loved besides farming and that was driving a school bus for Orleans Public Schools, and Southern Valley Public Schools for more than 15 years. He transported numerous children to and from ESU #11 preschool centers in Holdrege, Holbrook, and Oxford for all those years. Students riding his bus fondly referred to him as “Roger Dodger”.
His hobbies included watching his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities, visiting with people, Husker’s sports, and his favorite professional athlete was Michael Jordan. His two sons-in-law John and Dennis took him to a Bulls game in Chicago.
What a special memory for him and them.
Roger was a life member of St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus and a member of the American Legion Post #184 in Orleans, Nebraska. He was also a member of the Orleans AA for 37 years.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ardella Schwenke; one brother, Bernard “Bernie” Schwenke and his wife, Donna; his inlaws, Earl and Henrietta (Detrick) Graham; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Roger leaves behind the following loved ones to celebrate his life; his three children; Susan Yant and her husband John “Jack” of Minden; Pat Rankin and her husband, Dennis of rural Oxford; and Tim Schwenke and his wife Enid of Springfield, Missouri; seven grandchildren: Brock (Tara) Yant; Christina (Mark) Patefield; Trevor (Cindee) Hogeland; Lilian Herout; Adam (Mal) Schwenke; Rachel Schwenke; and Rebekah Schwenke; nine great-children: Brody Yant; Holly, Weston, Lauren, and Graham Patefield; Skyler Marsh; Gage, Payton, and Kaden Herout; and Nyla Schwenke; three stepgrandchildren; Sean, Shaylee, and Jakoby; and one great-greatgrandchild Emeree Yant; sister-in-law, Jeannie Bose of Holdrege Memorial Homes; brother-inlaw, William “Bill” Deppe of Montana along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
There will be no visitation or viewing because the family has honored his wish for cremation.
A memorial has been established in Roger’s honor and kindly suggested to the Orleans AA. Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at HYPERLINK “http://www.nelsonbauerfh. com/”www.
nelsonbauerfh.com The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.
