In Loving Memory
Roger Will
May 18, 1931 - January 30, 2022

Memorials may be given to Bethany Lutheran Church in Emmetsburg.

VISITATION
Friday, May 20, 2022
4:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Emmetsburg, Iowa

SERVICE
Saturday, May 21, 2022
10:30 A.M.
Bethany Lutheran Church
Emmetsburg, Iowa

CLERGY
Rev. Peter Morlock

INURNMENT
Rosehill Cemetery
Rockwell City, Iowa

Roger Allen Will, age 90, of Emmetsburg, Iowa passed away on January 30, 2022 at Lakeside Nursing Home.

Roger led an active and fulfilled life as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Anyone who knew Roger knew he was a man of The Word and a man of his word. Whether in church on Sunday, meeting with a farmer in the field or talking to his children and friends, his faith and devotion guided his words and actions.

A U. S. Marine Corps veteran, Roger served his country in Korea and Hawaii from 1952 – 1957, retiring as a staff sergeant and classified expert in rifle and pistol.  His interest in firearms propelled him into multiple hobbies and activities that led to life-long friendships with those who enjoyed muzzle-loading, skeet and trap shooting and target shooting.  For many years, he traveled with buddies around the state and the Midwest attending shooting competitions – often capturing top tier titles.

But handling guns was more than a hobby for Roger. He also certified as an Iowa Hunter Safety instructor – a role he maintained for 60 years – teaching thousands of kids the importance of gun safety.  Friends of his children still tell stories of being blasted out of their seats during classroom lessons on safe gun handling when Roger triggered a loud bang to demonstrate his point.

Roger was a member of the American Legion Post #0192, a lifetime member of the VFW #2295 and the Marine Corps League.  He was a charter member of the Palo Alto Gun Club and the Iowa Black Powder Federation and a member of the National Rifle Association.

He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Emmetsburg, where he was past president and member of the board and Sunday school teacher. The church played a central role for Roger and Maxine throughout their lives and Roger resumed in-person Bible study at Lakeside once COVID-19 restrictions were eased.

Roger had a long career with the Soil Conservation Service starting as part-time employee in 1957 before moving into a full time position as a soil conservation technician. The job brought him, his pregnant wife Maxine and infant daughter to Emmetsburg in 1960. For more than 30 years Roger worked with farmers in and around Palo Alto County helping to implement conservation techniques, conduct soil science research and design drainage and irrigation plans. Following his retirement in December 1991 he drove trucks for the local Co-op well into his 70's.

Born on May 18, 1931, to Martin and Hilda Will in Richards, Iowa, Roger graduated from Lytton High School in 1949.  Following his service with the USMC, he returned to Rockwell City where he met Maxine Grider. They were married in Mapleton, Iowa in 1958. They raised 5 children together and Roger was devoted to Maxine until her death in 1996.

Roger is survived by his 5 children: Pam (Todd), Allen (Beth), Gary, Cindy (KC), and Sherri; 13 grandchildren; Nicole (Jordan), Amber, CJ, Sam (Melissa), Sara, Lindsay, Britni (Myles), Amanda (Dalton), Dustin (Crystal), Zoey (Eric), Maddie, Bryan and Kristen (Cody); and 5 great-grandchildren; Harlee, Brynlee, Remington, Ruger and Ansel.

He was preceded in death by his wife, sister Bernice Locatis, his parents and his in-laws, James and Mabel Grider.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home in Emmetsburg.