- Date Of Birth: February 10, 1944
- Date Of Death: March 11, 2021
- State: Iowa
Roger Daniel Horton, 77, passed away on March 11, 2021, at Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center, Iowa.
Roger was born February 10, 1944, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Carl A. and M. Cathryn Horton. He grew up on the family farm, where he lived his entire life. In 1962, he graduated from Woodward High School. He then joined the National Guard from 1964-1970.
Roger worked for Ryko Manufacturing in Grimes for 18 years, but his lifelong career was a farmer on the family farm in Woodward. He was a member of the Woodward American Legion and Assumption Catholic Church in Granger.
On March 31, 1973, he married Janice Weyer and together they raised four children. Janice passed away on December 31, 1988.
Many years later, Roger met and married Jeri Seivert on October 22, 1994. They became a family and spent 26 years together as husband and wife.
Roger loved the Iowa State Fair with a passion. Over the years, he assembled a one-of-a-kind collection of Iowa State Fair memorabilia. Roger and Jeri camped at the Iowa State Fair every year for 25 years and they were known as the State Fair Grandparents. Roger volunteered at the Iowa State Fair and entered many projects into contests throughout the years. He even won the Mr. Legs Contest once. He also enjoyed attending the Clay County Fair as well as other state fairs, but none were as beloved as Iowa’s own State Fair.
Roger and his family farm are well known throughout the Woodward area for many reasons, but many would recognize the starlit silo that he and his family create every year for the Christmas holiday. At 60 feet tall, the star shines down every night during the Christmas season, a beacon for those who need a light to lead them.
Roger loved his family dearly and enjoyed spending time with all of them at family get togethers. He said many a time that he was blessed to be a father, a grandfather, and a great grandfather. His children, grandchildren, and those that love him will forever keep him in their hearts and prayers.
Roger is survived by his wife, Jeri; children, Denise (Frank) Floerchinger, Michael Horton, Heather (Fred) Fillers; grandchildren Samantha (Nels) Engblom, Ashley (Justin) Neuzil, A.J. (Sarah Hanson) Horton, Gracie Fillers; great grandchildren, Jeffrey Engblom; Jeri’s children, Bill (Sheila) Biondi, Stephanie Biondi, Julie Fenton; grandchildren, Matt (Laura) Biondi, Katie (Matt) Tangen, Tony (Amy) Biondi, Amanda Biondi, Luke Biondi, Anna, Zach; great grandchildren, Joey, Mia, Leo Biondi; JJ, Jolene, Jordan Tangen; Max Biondi; as well as all those that share in his memory.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents and son Jeff.
