Roger Walter Rogney

Roger Walter Rogney, was called to heaven at the age of 85. He passed peacefully at his cottage on Cloverleaf Lake. This was truly Dad’s “happy place” He was born and raised on his parent’s farm in Auburndale, WI, on what Dad would always say, 03/04/33, to the late Floyd and Rose (Bredl) Rogney.

He attended Auburndale High School where he was an all-star basketball player. He loved talking about those years. There, he also met his wife, Patricia Rau and they became high school sweethearts. They married on May 31, 1954 and this year marked their 64th year of marriage. They then moved to Appleton, where he built their current home, on Casaloma Dr., along with the help of his father, to raise his 6 children. He took a job at Appleton Papers and worked there for 39 years, retiring at the age of 62 in 1995. He had lots of stories to tell of the shenanigans of his and his co-workers. After retirement, he took to woodworking and went on to make many entertainment units, furniture and whatever items that could be made from wood. He was a great carpenter and handyman, and could figure out how to do almost anything. He enjoyed going to the casino and playing the slot machines. He must have had a lucky rabbit’s foot in his pocket, for he came home with more than he put in, MANY times! He loved anything “sports” He had a special love for the St Louis Cardinals baseball team as well as the Packers and the Brewers. He could talk sports with anyone. He was the “king” of jokes. He told many and at the end of each one, would laugh his raucous laugh. If you didn’t find it that funny, you laughed with him, for his laugh infectious. His wit and humor will be remembered by all! In the past few years, he told the story many times, about how he’d run into random people, and in talking age, they could never believe that he was as old as his years. We’d all agree. He was one handsome guy and loved the fact that he still had a head full of hair.

He was a very proud husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa. He spoke of each one often. They include his wife, Patricia (Rau), their children, Kathy (Lee) Van Zeeland, Gary, Dan (Jayne), Marilyn (Brian) Meyer, Brenda (Pat) Young, all of Appleton, and Karen (Rob) Hiti, of Wis. Rapids. His grandchildren include, Tom & Nick Van Zeeland, Rachel Van Mun, Melissa Fulcer, Marc & Michael Rogney, Jennifer Schladweiler, Tricia Klein, Amanda Hiti, Travis and Natalie Meyer and Brett and Bennett Young. He had 11 great grandchildren. He also had a best friend, his dog Queenie. Queenie was always at the foot of his chair and acted as his protector. When Queenie passed several years ago, she took part of Dad’s heart with her. He is also survived by two brothers, Cletus (Norma), Auburndale and Ron (Lois) Wis. Rapids, sister-in-laws, Joyce Rogney, Aurburndale and Helen Pankratz of Sussex. He is preceded in death by brothers, Clifford of Auburndale, Richard Pankratz of Sussex and sisters, Loretta (John) Ertl and Lucille (Norman) Swensen of Marshfield.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 3 from 9-10:45 a.m. at St Bernard’s Catholic Church, 1617 W. Pine St. Appleton. Mass will follow at 11:00 with the Rev. Dennis Ryan officiating. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be set up, in Roger’s name to the St Bernard’s Catholic Church Building Fund where he was a charter member.

Thank you to Mark, from Valley Funeral Home of Appleton, for helping us thru all of this. Your compassion and help made this a little easier to bear.

Dad, keep telling those jokes and stories to the dear Lord and his angels. Heaven will be rolling with laughter. Look down at us all once in a while and smile. We’ll smile back with lots of love.

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