Roger Severide

ROGER SEVERIDE

Cedar Rapids

Roger C. Severide passed away peacefully on Jan. 26, 2014, at the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha surrounded by angels, family and love at the age of 69. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church. The Rev. Lyle Kleman will officiate. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park

Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Roger was born in Decorah, raised on a farm, and educated in a one-room schoolhouse until he moved to the "city" of Cedar Rapids at the age of 14. He spent many Friday nights cruising the avenue and dancing at Armar Ballroom, with sweetheart Susan Snyder, who became his amazing wife and lifelong friend since 1961.

Together they raised three beautiful daughters, Cheryl Arends (Tony), Julie Bulger (Terry) and Amy VanOort (Joe) whom he taught a strong work ethic, how to always appreciate life to the fullest and how to grow a bountiful garden.

Roger began his career as a tool and die maker with an apprenticeship at Ledford Engineering in 1964. Next, he opened his very own business manufacturing sturdy steel baskets in Ely and soon after opened PM Progressive Manufacturing on Wenig Road. As a result of his skills and talents, he was offered the opportunity to move to California for HON Industries as manufacturing engineer. There, he fell in love with and married the vibrant Anita Banuelos and her fabulous kids, Greg Ortega (Tawnya) and Valerie Diaz (Ray).

Roger loved many things, including watching NASCAR races and Packers games in his garage, hanging out at the neighborhood pub and odd food group combinations.

Everyone who knew him would say he was the "go to guy," always willing to fix things and help others, while shaking his head and chuckling along the way.

What Roger really loved was his family: his mother, Jane Severide, and siblings, Skip (Althea) and Nancy Harrington (Bob), at the top of the list.

He was preceded in death by his father, Arnold in 1991.

He was known and loved as Grandpa to Jack, Sam, Andrea, Jacob, Mary, Jennifer, Eric, Desiree, Milanie, Marcus, Brandon and Zachery; and as "Uncle Rog" to Debi, Denise, Darwin, Danny, Dianne, Duane, Andy, Misty and Valerie.

A memorial fund has been established.

Please leave a message or tribute to Roger's family on the Web page www.

cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.