Roger A. Stolen

Roger A. Stolen, 88, of Sergeant Bluff, passed away Sunday, February 6, 2022, at Pioneer Valley Living in Sergeant Bluff.

Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday at St. Luke Lutheran Church. Lunch (in the fellowship hall at St. Luke) will follow the service. Burial will follow the lunch in Memorial Park Cemetery.  Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the church.

Friday service will be live streamed at St. Luke Lutheran Facebook page. Online condolences may be made to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Roger was born on Sept. 4, 1933, in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin to T.J. and Viola (Klusendorf) Stolen. He was united in marriage to Joan (Ruff) Stolen on Aug. 29, 1953 in Sioux City.

Roger was a Korean War Veteran (USAF). He retired from the Iowa Air National Guard with 42 years of service as a Chief Master Sergeant, serving in Civil Engineering, 185^th. Additionally, He was a past president, ANG NCO Academy Graduate Association.

He was a member of the American Legion, past president; the Elks, Shriners and a Mason.

Roger was a graduate of Sioux Empire College, Hawarden, Iowa.

A longtime member of St. Luke Lutheran Church, Roger served in a variety of ways. A favorite project was helping to manage the new parking lot behind the church. A favorite family memory is when he helped to chase down a donkey escapee from the live nativity.

Family and friends meant everything to Roger. He was well known throughout Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff and his calling card was often a jar of salsa or jam. The Salsa Man usually made 1000 jars of salsa a year with his many assistants. People who returned his jars found special favor in his eyes! And yes, salsa and chips will be served at his luncheon.

Those left to honor his memory include his children, Susan (Gary) Brinner of El Cajon Calif., Steven (Vickie) Stolen of Sioux City, Jenny (Kevin) Cownie of Lincoln, Neb., Tom (Tracy) Stolen of Sioux City; grandchildren,  Kate (Greg) Corder, Marie (Mike) Beamon, Mark (Sarah) Stolen, Kirby (Ryan) Deardorff, Grace (Brett) Stolen, Maddie (Ashley) Stolen , Adam (Amber) Cownie, Ryan Cownie, Tyler Stolen, Lexie Stolen, Nolan Grundy, Austin (Bella) Grundy; and great-grandchildren Morgan, Kendall, Karly Joan, Mia, Jules, Graham, Cooper; Emma, the yellow lab, and Buddy, The Cat.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan, his parents; brothers Fred, Vern; sister, Joyce Burdick and nephews, Bill Burdick and Vernon (Scoot) Stolen Jr.

Memorials may be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church or the USO.