Charles "Roger" Burns

Ankeny

Charles Roger Burns, 81, of Ankeny passed away Friday, November 14, 2014.

Roger was born to the late Charles and Helen Burns, on February 22, 1933 in Omaha NE. He graduated from Red Oak High School in 1951 where as a local star athlete he found his lifelong love of sports. Roger went on to earn a degree at Iowa State University in 1955. Along the way he met and in 1952 married Charlene (Neveln). Roger and Charlene went on to make their home in Ankeny and to enjoy 62 years of marriage.

Roger served in the US Army before starting a successful thirty year career in International Sales with Riekes-Crisa. He went on to work in the latter part of his career for Primex Trading Company of New York and Tramontina Inc. before retiring in 1995. Always known and admired as a true salesman and people person, Roger enjoyed countless friendships from colleagues and business partners around the world.

Roger was an early member of the First United Methodist Church of Ankeny and an almost 40 year member of Hyperion Field Club where he enjoyed golfing.

Roger spent his last five years in Pocahontas Iowa at the Pocahontas Manor where he enjoyed the friendship and care of both the staff and residents.

Notwithstanding Iowa State sports and the Yankees, Roger counted his family as his greatest pleasure and treasure.

He is survived by his wife Charlene, children Melinda of St Louis Park, MN(David); Brian (Denise) of Tempe; AZ; Cathy (and the late Gary Anderson)of Story City; and Michelle (Ray) of Seattle WA as well as brother Gary (Kathryn) of Sun Lakes, Arizona. He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren Derek; Charles (Michael); Alex; Dalton; Kaija; Mason and great granddaughter Lily.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations for www.seedsforautism.org.

Services will be held 10:00am Tuesday Morning at the Ankeny Funeral Home, 1510 West First Street, Ankeny, IA 50021. The family will be receiving guests after the services.

Online condolences and thoughtful memories can be shared on Roger's page at www.ankenyfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Des Moines Register on Nov. 16, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Burns

21 Entries

Phil Springer

November 10, 2020

Rog was a great and lifelong friend, starting when his family moved to Red Oak from Omaha. Rog was a close neighbor and classmate. We played golf and ping pong like crazy those early years. We traveled together when he hired me into S.Riekes Co. We were in each others weddings and kept in touch throughout our lives, and I really missed our phone reminisces after his too early death. He was always so proud of his family and grandkids. What a friend! Phil Springer

Nancy Conway Yokubaitis

January 25, 2015

Sorry to hear about your dad. My dad passed away last year too in February. Our family sends its thoughts to yours.

Deb McAtee

November 21, 2014

To the Burns family, My thoughts are with your family at this time. I know my Mom went to school with Charlene & have heard of the times they spent together. Deb McAtee -daughter of Ron & Carol Blair.

Mike Perry

November 20, 2014

Char and Family:
Our thoughts and Prayers are with you @ this most difficult time.
I have fond memories of living next door in Grandma Bertha's apartment during my first yr. as a teacher @ Neveln.
Roger and I used to have discussions about ISU sports and solve the world's problems when we met after our retirements.
Sorry we were out of town and couldn't be with you @ the time of Roger's service
Love and HUGS
Mike and Betty Perry

Beverly and Roxane Fontana

November 19, 2014

Dear Burns Family~ We are very sorry to learn of Roger's passing and also very sorry we were not able to be at Roger's services to honor him. Each of you are in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers now and all the days ahead. Roger will always be remembered for his contagious and witty personality as well as his sense of humor. May he forever live in your hearts filled with love and minds with wonderful memories. God Bless you Roger and rest in eternal peace. With our deepest sympathy and prayers,

Carl and Yvonne Todtleben

November 19, 2014

Grief can be so hard during the holidays, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one this holiday season.

Don & Lee Ann Quinn

November 18, 2014

So sorry for your loss. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.

Carol Monk

November 18, 2014

My thoughts and prayers go to the Burns family. I'm sorry I couldn't be there to honor Roger and the give everyone a hug. May you enjoy one another and revel in the memories of good ol' Rog.

Love, Carol (Michelle's friend)

Deb and Brian Sharp

November 18, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Barb Foster

November 18, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Burns Family. Remembering all of the great times in the Southlawn and Logan Street neighborhoods!

Your former classmate and neighbor,

Norm & Barb (Hutton) Foster

Nicole Roetman

November 18, 2014

Burns family,
I am very sorry for your loss. Roger was a great man. I got lucky enough to become very close with him these last few years that he has lived in Poky.
I am James Roetman's daughter and Darlene Roetman's granddaughter. I remember Roger moving into the manor around the same time my grandma moved in. My grandma has always enjoyed talking to him. I lost my grandpa in 2012 and ever since then I looked up to Roger as a grandpa figure. My favorite memories with Roger include him coming to watch me play softball and basketball while I was in high school and also taking him to watch my little brother, Austin, play baseball and basketball. He loved watching Austin play basketball especially and always talked about him going to ISU to play someday. I hope he was right. This basketball season is going to be different not being able to sit by him at the games. He will be in my thoughts. This summer, Roger gave Austin a matching Yankee's watch which I'm sure is something he will keep forever. I thought that was so thoughtful of him and meant a lot. I pray your family can find peace and comfort during this tough time.

John Ross

November 17, 2014

The Burns Family, my other family...I will never forget the impact that Roger has had on my life. I will always remember him calling me Johan, to making unbelievable BBQ, or asking me how my love life was to telling me how important it was "who I knew as much as what I knew." I think about you often Rog & Char. Love you, miss you. John Ross

Dennis Nemcek - DNA

November 17, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with the Burns children and their extended families. I didn't know Mr. Burns directly, but enjoyed hearing stories about him through his daughter Melinda. The kind of stories that make you laugh and smile at how wonderful they are being told. It has been through Melinda's stories that I've been reminded often to be thankful for my own parents. Thanks Melinda for sharing your Dad's memory with me. You truly are a positive reflection of your Mom and Dad and we love you.

November 17, 2014

Your family has our deepest sympathy. It was always a pleasure to visit with Roger when we were at the Manor to see Joel's mom. He will be missed.
Sincerely,
Joel and Tammy Roetman

John Tomkins

November 17, 2014

My prayers are with your family. It was a blessing to meet Roger. God Bless, Pastor John Tomkins ~ Mallard, IA

John Wallick

November 17, 2014

The Burns Family, May Gods grace and Peace be with you all. I knew Roger for 75 years. He was a great cousin and friend. With deepest sympathy.

John Wallick and Family

James Roetman

November 16, 2014

The Burns Family. We would like to send our sympathy and let you know how much Roger meant to our family over the last number of years. He was a great friend to my father during his time of illness and continued to be a friend to my mom up to the time of his death. Having Roger at the manor made my mom stays easier and it so helped our family having him there. He also was a big supporter of my kids and as you know attended many of their games. I hope that they both remember him for many years to come and know that he will continue to always be there to support them. He always asked how they were doing and a day did not go by when he didn't remind me of how great they both were. My wife and I enjoyed his stories and thoughts on ISU athletics. He will be missed by all of us and remembered forever as a very special person. James Roetman and Family

Philip Springer

November 16, 2014

I thank God for giving me Roger as a life long friend. Memories go on and on. May our Lord's peace be with the Burns family is the days ahead.
Phil and Dee Springer

November 16, 2014

Dear Melinda, I am so very sorry and am thinking of you and your family. I loved your dad and my prayers are with you.

November 16, 2014

Dear Melinda, I'm so sorry for your loss. My prayers of peace and comfort go out to you and your family at this time. Kim Johnson-Jackson

Shary Albaugh

November 16, 2014

Burns family, I am very sorry for the loss of your Dad. Prayers for all of you.

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