Roger Formanek Sr.

ROGER FORMANEK SR.

Cedar Rapids

Roger Nathaniel Formanek Sr. died April 27, 2017, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, following a long illness. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, at St. John XXIII Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Mass will be held at the church at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 3, with a second visitation on hour before. Father Dustin Vu will officiate.

Roger was born May 25, 1940, in Chelsea, Iowa, the son of Frank and Libbie (Kaufman) Formanek. He attended St. Wenceslaus School and graduated in 1958 from Immaculate Conception. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy.

On June 15, 1963, he was united in marriage to Mary Etta Courtney, and together they were blessed with four sons. Family and faith guided Roger throughout his life. He never wavered in his devotion to his Catholic faith and his family. He was fortunate to attend daily Mass during his retirement years. He was very proud of his Czech heritage.

Roger worked in several professions, but in retirement he found his most satisfying employment when Scott Sann invited him to come and be part of the maintenance crew at Greenwood Hills Country Club in Wausau, Wis. His co-workers there meant a great deal to him.

Roger and Mary returned to Cedar Rapids, where he enjoyed Friday lunches and many rounds of golf with the guys from the Class of 1958.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years; and his sons, Roger Jr. (engaged to Vanessa Widener), Timothy, Michael (Jen) and Jonathon (Michele). In his last years, he felt most blessed by the birth of his grandchildren, Sean, Matthew, Daniel and Phoebe Formanek. He also is survived by his sister, Marilyn (Ronald) Cooke;

brothers- and sisters-in-law, Helen (James) Stobaugh, Tom (Judy) Courtney, Michael (Phyllis) Courtney, Lucy Miller, Frank (Mary Gene) Courtney, Dan Courtney and Theresa (Gary) Jensen; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Rocky Miller; and lifelong friend, Jack Byrne.

The family is grateful to Father Vu for his many visits and prayers. They also would like to thank the parishioners of St. John XXIII and St. Therese of Rothschild, Wis., who were so caring and offered comfort through their prayers and visits.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John XXIII or Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center.

Please share a memory of Roger at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.