Douglas Lee Erger

Douglas Lee "Doug" Erger, 67, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, April 7, 2023, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 E. Sixth St., in Vinton. A service of remembrance will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, with Justin Bierschenk officiating. The family is asking for everyone to wear the color of orange. Doug was born on April 5, 1956, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Henry Alphonse and Marie (Voss) Erger. He graduated from Benton Community High School, with the class of 1975. On March 26, 1977, he was united in marriage to Rebecca "Becky" Clemons of Newhall. Doug was a lifelong farmer and livestock producer. He served on the Benton County Pork Producers Board and the St. Paul Catholic Church Board. He loved to visit to see how others were doing and if you wanted to find him most mornings, the local feed store was his favorite place to gather. He was a giver of many things to all he came encounter with, but mostly it was the love he had to share. He truly loved the farm and his Allis Chalmers tractors. "Orange Rules" was one of his favorite sayings! In addition to farming, his greatest joy was his family. He was a proud dad and "papa" to his grandchildren. Doug is survived by his wife, Becky; their children, Beth Kusel of Vinton, Traci (Tyler) Rhodes of Surprise, Ariz., Paul (Jess Andrew) Erger of Newhall, Carrie (Nate) Horman of Roland, Iowa, and Amy Erger of Cedar Rapids; and nine grandchildren, Zach Kusel, Nolan and Brayden Rhodes, Ashlyn and Caden Erger, Tate Kettler, Stephan, Levi and Antonieo Salyars. He is also survived by his sister, Jean (Stanley) Hlas of Cedar Rapids; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald Erger; and son-in-law, Stacey Kusel. Online condolences www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.