The Life of ROGER WAYNE HARTUNG
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.
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.