Roger W. Lobdell

Roger W. Lobdell, 81, of rural Lena, IL, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023 the angels came to take Roger home, where he was welcomed by loving family members including his baby grandson Jacob. Roger was born on December 21, 1941 to Emmerson and Helen (Wagner) Lobdell in Freeport, IL. Roger graduated from Lena-Winslow High School in 1960. He married Mary Miller, his high school sweetheart, on June 25, 1961 at Amity Lutheran Church in Lena, IL. Upon returning from a western honeymoon, they moved to the family dairy farm where they farmed and raised five wonderful kids. Roger taught the kids about animals; you only raised animals to eat or sell, no horses or pony's, but a dog was the exception. He also stressed the importance of school.
In Roger's younger years he was very active in 4-H, a charter member of the Lena-Winslow FFA, school band and summer band. He loved his grandchildren, and attending all of their events; track, softball, football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, fundraisers, cheering, showing 4-H and FFA projects at the local and state fairs, civil war reenactments, and anything that had to deal with 4-H and FFA. Roger enjoyed helping his son Tyler at auctions and he also enjoyed going to auctions. Farming, gardening, and woodworking were very important to Roger. He planted sweetcorn with his grandchildren's help, where they were often found riding on the planter with grandpa.
Roger attended the Lena Free Evangelical Church in Lena, IL. He was a member of the Lena Historical Society, the FFA Alumni, and the Stephenson County Farm Bureau.
Roger is survived by his wife Mary of almost 62 years, their children; Tim(Brenda) Lobdell of Freeport, IL, Troy (Barb) Lobdell of Darlington, WI, Tyler Lobdell of Lena, IL, Gretchen (Tom) Kempel of Shannon, IL, and Abigail Bower of Lena, IL, grandchildren; Shane (Micki) Lobdell, Cassidy Lobdell, Courtney (fiancé Noah Wolff) Lobdell, Austin (fiancé Hayley Peacock) Bower, Casey (Morgan) Lobdell, Hannah Kempel, Emma (Scylor Sanzenbacher) Bower, Rebecca Kempel, Carson (Morgan Black) Lobdell, Ellie Bower, Sarah Kempel, and Alyssa Kempel, great-granddaughter; Carrie Lynn Lobdell, step-granddaughter; Sadie (Justus) Dascher, and step-great-grandson; Zeke, brother-in-law; Bill (Barbara) Miller, cousins; Alice (Mike) Omelusik, Mary Klitzke, Neal (Kris) Wagner and Karen (Brad) Otterson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Emmerson and Helen Lobdell, his in-laws; Don and Edna Miller, grandson Jacob Bower, Son-in-law Dan Bower, daughter-in-law Amanda Lobdell, aunts, and uncles Harold (Dorothy) Wagner, Carl (Jennie) Mantzke, Wilson (Ardith) Lobdell, and cousins David Wagner and Dwight Klitzke.
Roger was a very proud dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa. He was always there to support and help, and in the last few weeks they all returned their help and support. Grandpa Roger will be deeply missed, he's leaving a big void in all our lives, but we rejoice in knowing that he went with the angels.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, April 14, 2023 at the Evangelical Free Church in Lena, IL
A visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at the Evangelical Free Church in Lena, IL.
Luncheon to follow services at the Evangelical Free Church in Lena, IL.
Pastor Scott Wilson will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Lena Burial Park in Lena, IL.
A memorial has been established in his memory.
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