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Roger B. Wetlaufer
ROGER B. WETLAUFER
Cedar Rapids
Roger B. Wetlaufer, 87, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. Memorial services will be in Tucson and in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at a later date.
Born Aug. 4, 1930, in Oelwein, Iowa, the son of the late Herbert M. and Florence M. (Fuller) Wetlaufer, Roger graduated from Oelwein High School, studied at Luther College, and then served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. After his naval service, Roger worked at the family business, City Laundering Co., founded by his father in 1906 in Oelwein. He took over the business from his brother, Gerald, in 1972. Upon his retirement, Roger moved with his wife of 63 years, Esther Hokenson Wetlaufer, to Tucson.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Gerald, Frederick and Donald; and sisters, Maude Palmer and Mary Freeman. Those left to honor Roger's memory include his wife, Esther; their two children, Roger J. Wetlaufer and Roxann Wetlaufer; his daughter-in-law, Mary Wetlaufer; his grandchildren, Valerie Wetlaufer, and Colin and his wife, Tamara Wetlaufer; great-granddaughter, Emmylou; and numerous nephews, nieces and friends.
Roger was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, fishing and hunting on four different continents.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be dedicated to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital.
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