March 29, 2024

Roger I. Herr

Roger Irvin Herr, 95, of Newton, formerly of Dallas Center, passed away Wednesday evening, May 15, 2013, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

A funeral service for Roger will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 20, at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Burial will be in the Brethren Cemetery, rural Dallas Center. Memorials are being designated to Newton Village Building Fund or Community Heights Alliance Church, in Roger’s name. A fellowship time will be held at the funeral home, following the services.

Roger, the son of Irvin William and Ina Grace (Brewbaker) Herr, was born April 22, 1918, in rural Dallas Center. He graduated from the Dallas Center high school, and later AIB in Des Moines. He farmed for most of his life and also was an insurance agent.

On May 13, 1939, Roger was united in marriage with Leila R. Swasand in Eldora. Roger served his country during World War II, with the U.S. Army. He and Leila spent 20 plus years in Bella Vista, Ark., moving to Newton a few years ago. He devoted his life to his family and had attended Community Heights Alliance Church in Newton. He enjoyed woodworking, was very active in his churches and community, was a past elder and trustee in the Bella Vista Christian Church, was a 4-H leader, past member of Dallas County Land Appraisal Board and Spurgeon Manor Building Committee in Dallas Center.

Those left to honor Roger’s memory include his loving wife of 74 years, Leila R. Herr of Newton; his children, daughter Nedra Herr of Newton and sons Sam Herr of Dallas Center and Marvin (Joan) Herr of Mount Gretna, Pa.; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; his brother, Maurice Herr of Waukee; many nieces and nephews; and friends.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Margaret Wallace.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.pencefh.com.