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Roger Hartung Obituary
Des Moines
Roger W. Hartung was born on November 22, 1929, to Robert and Edythe Hartung, and passed away peacefully on November 24, 2015. Roger was a lifelong resident of Des Moines. He graduated from East High School in 1948. He attended Grinnell College for two years, before entering the U.S. Air Force, where he was stationed in Bangor, Maine. He then returned to finish college at Drake University, earning a degree in Fine Arts. After college, Roger joined his father in the family trucking business, Caldwell & Hartung, Inc., and retired from the company in 1985.
Roger married Sheila Patterson on September 2, 1954, and their family grew to four sons and a daughter, twelve grandchildren, and four great grandchildren (with another on the way). Roger was an athlete, artist and musician. His favorite sport was tennis, playing at East High, Grinnell and Drake. He was the Des Moines city tennis champion in 1947. He loved to play piano, mostly for himself, and could play almost any song he heard by ear. Roger began going to Family Camp at the Des Moines Y Camp in Boone in 1942 with his parents and his brother, Jack. Roger and Sheila started taking their family to Camp in 1966. He served on the board for the Des Moines Y Camp for many years. He was a member of the Crawford Y's Men's Club, and sold many Christmas trees over the years. Roger was on the board for Highland Memory Gardens for more than 30 years. He served as treasurer for the Marquisville United Methodist Church for over 20 years.
Roger was a collector, acquiring many antiques and unique items at auctions. This hobby led to his 15 minutes of national fame on the American Pickers television show in 2012.
Roger is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sheila, sons Kirk (Jo Renee), Kent (Colleen), Greg, Scott and daughter Wendy (Matt) Marsh; grandchildren Erika, Adam, Brian, Julie, Christopher, Anne, Michael, Mary Kate, Emily, Heather, Tate and Darby, and great grandchildren Bryce, Emma, Owen and Pearl.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa or Taylor House Hospice.
Visitation will be Sunday, November 29 from 1 to 4 p.m., and a celebration of life service will be held on Monday, November 30, at 10:30 a.m. Both will be held at Hamilton's near Highland Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 121 NW 60th Ave.
On-line condolences to www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Roger Hartung
Cattell School 6th grade class
Beverly Smith Harker
November 30, 2015
So sorry to learn about Roger. My deepest sympathy for the Hartung family. I am one of Rogers old classmates who knew him from Cattell School all the way through East High graduation day. May God bless your family at this time. Sincerely,
Joe/Margaret Patterson
November 30, 2015
Sheila, so sorry to read in the internet of Roger's passing.Our sincerest sympathy to you and all the family.
Kay Tanner
November 30, 2015
Sheila and family, I haven't seen you in a long time but the name in the paper caught my eye. Sorry about your husband's passing. Kay Tanner
Deb Klein
November 30, 2015
Our deepest sympathy to you, Kent, Colleen & family. Lloyd & Deb Klein
Eleanor
November 29, 2015
My deepest sympathy to Roger's family at this sad time. I remember Roger well from our days at Cattell school. We parted ways for Jr. High and high school. I could still recognize Roger's picture from my remembrance of him at Cattell.He lived a very full and productive life for which you can take comfort in remembering
.Eleanor
Kathy Speer
November 29, 2015
Our deepest sympathy to Scott and all the Hartung family. Extremely sorry for your loss. Kathy and Bob Speer and family.
Dan Stall
November 28, 2015
Such an honor to have known Roger. He helped our family more than once and will be greatly missed. Can't say enough about his delightful character and charm. My thoughts to you Sheila and family.
geneva mcpherson-hodge
November 28, 2015
So sorry to hear of your fathers passing. My prayers are with you.
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Hamilton's Funeral Home near Highland Memory Gardens121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313
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