Roger Jackson

Roger Jackson, a well known area resident, passed away on August 26, 2025, after a brief battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family. Roger was born on March 17, 1939, to Keith and Edna (Golackson) Jackson.

His first year of life started with his mother spending the first month of his life in the hospital, and the same year his father lost his arm in a farming accident.

He was baptized and confirmed at Jordan Lutheran Church. He attended Woodford Grade School, then attended South Wayne High School, graduating in 1957. He loved everything about high school. He participated in all sports, was in chorus, and was prom king. He was particularly proud of his free throw shooting, being Wisconsin's leading free throw shooter his senior year.

In April of 1958, Roger was united in marriage to Yvonne Stauffer. They were blessed with five children. His wife, Yvonne, passed away in 1971, at the age of 32. He later married Vicky Ganshert in 2007.

Roger's first job was picking up cream at the local factories. He worked at Wiota Lumber Yard, then started driving livestock truck for Jim Purdue. Later he bought his own trucks and picked up local cattle. He started working for Tom's Silo Service, then for Gary Gutzmer Construction while continuing to milk a few cows.

In Roger's earlier years, he was an avid softball player. He especially enjoyed playing with all of his sons and many friendships were made on the ball diamond.

Roger was an avid supporter of Black Hawk athletics and the South Wayne community. He was a bus driver for 50 years and always looked forward to seeing the kids. After coaching girls softball for 23 years, he was humbled to have the softball diamond named in his honor. He built many lifelong friendships through his bus driving and coaching. He truly treasured those friendships.

Roger is survived by his wife Vicky; his children: Dave (Cindy), Dennis (Deb), Joni (Steve) Dammen, Curt (Angie), and Bruce (Julie); his grandchildren: Shaun (Mallory), Shane (Katrina), Angela (Derek), Jeremy (Dena), Brent (Heather), Tina (Tim), Tatum (Tyler), and Mia; along with 14 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his brother: Steve (Barb) Jackson; and his sister and brother-in-laws: Barb Stofflet, Joyce Stauffer, Bernie (Elaine) Ganshert, Cam (Gary) Von Glahn, Gloria Martin, Bill Ganshert, Eloise (Merlin) Andrews, Deb (Gary) Smith, Becky Zuberbuhler, Mary (Dick) Campbell, and Lorelei Ganshert.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Yvonne; sister: Sandy (Tom) Stauffacher; grandson: Nick Dammen; sister and brothers-in-law: Billy, Bob (Joyce), and Laverne Stauffer, Dorothy (Merril) Holloway, Dave Zuberbuhler, and Alan Ganshert.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at the Black Hawk High School Gymnasium with Pastor Scott Cernek officiating. Burial will be held in Union Cemetery in South Wayne. A visitation will be held Tuesday, September 2, 2025, from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Black Hawk High School Gymnasium and on Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services at the gym. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.

A memorial fund has been established in Roger's name.