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Roger C. Hongsermeier

Roger C. Hongsermeier, 81, of Grand Island, died Saturday, September 5, 2009 at St. Francis Medical Center.

Service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Messiah Lutheran Church.  The Reverend Harvey Johnson will officiate.  Burial will be at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at All Faiths Funeral Home.

Mr. Hongsermeier was born near Shelton, Nebraska on January 30, 1928 to William and Ella (Horst) Hongsermeier.

Survivors are his wife of 60 years, Phyllis; sons and daughter-in-law, Ronald Hongsermeier of Lincoln and Rodney and Patty Hongsermeier of North Platte; daughters and son-in-law, Diane Randolph of Grand Island and Barbara and Doug Schultz of Grand Island; brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Delores Hongsermeier; sisters and brothers-in-law, Lois and LeRoy Redman, Carol and Jim Horsford and sister-in-law, Carole Hongsermeier.

Those also left to cherish his memory are grandchildren, Justin, Jeff, Jared and Jordan Groff, Cody, Casey and Alicia Hongsermeier, Tina and Jeremy Randolph and five great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by Phyllis’s sister and her husband, Doris and Merle Sundermeier and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, an infant brother and brother, Earle welcomed him into heaven.

Roger grew up in rural Hamilton and Hall Counties.  He graduated from Grand Island Senior High, class of 1945.  On July 3, 1949 he married Phyllis Brehm at Messiah Lutheran Church in Grand Island.

They farmed in rural Merrick County and in 1958 moved to a farm in Hamilton County.  They farmed there till the late 1980’s when he went to work for the Hall County Roads Department, until his retirement. In 2006 they moved from the farm to Grand Island. 

Roger was a lifelong member of Messiah Lutheran Church and had served as a council member.  He was also a 60 year member of the Platt-Duetsche Society, serving as vice president and president.  He enjoyed spending many hours’ playing cards with his buddies at the Platt-Duetsche; solving many of the world problems while enjoying the game of sheepshead.

Roger had been a board member of the Farmers COOP Elevator in Grand Island and a member of the Liederkranz and Saddle Club.  He enjoyed music, singing in the church choir and singing for many weddings and funerals.  Together with his wife they enjoyed dancing to all kinds of music; polka’s, waltz’s or just about anything the band would play.  Roger also enjoyed having a big garden and kept Phyllis busy canning.  He would often bring into the house a large amount of vegetables and would say, “Look what the Lord has provided for us”, with a wonderful smile and a laugh.

His memory will be treasured by many.

Memorials are suggested to Messiah Lutheran Church.