Ever one for a good story, Roger Conant began his own when he was born in a boxcar on April 1, 1939 in Paton, Iowa, to Howard David Conant and Vera Louise Hansen Conant.
When Roger was nine months old, the family purchased what would become the existing family farm from Roger’s great-uncles, George, Jim and Pard, south of Jefferson.
Growing up on the farm instilled a strong work ethic, which Roger embraced throughout his life. He attended the one-room country school just down the road from the family farm. He saved his money and bought his first car, a Studebaker, while still in high school.
Roger graduated from Jefferson Community Schools in 1957.
Immediately following graduation, Roger and his brother, Jerry, went to work for Shriver Van Horn Construction Co., putting up grain bins around the area.
Roger joined the U.S. Air Force in 1959 and served for four years. He was stationed in Alabama for basic training and at Fort Sam Houston in Texas for vet-tech training. He was later stationed at Offutt Airforce Base in Omaha, where he worked with sentry dogs in the veterinary services.
Roger met the love of his life, Sharon Lee Zimmerle, on New Year’s Eve 1958, and they were married on April 18h, 1962, in Jefferson at the United Methodist Church.
While Roger was still in the Air Force, he and Sharon co-managed a motel in Omaha with another couple.
Following Roger’s time in the Air Force, the couple moved back to Jefferson for a short time and later moved to Cooper, Iowa, in 1966.
In 1968 the couple was blessed with their daughter, Joanna.
Roger was employed by Frigidaire, Franklin Manufacturing and Electrolux in Jefferson.
He was a member of the Farm Bureau and the Perry Bible Church and also served as a Franklin Township Trustee from 1989-1992.
Roger and Sharon moved to the family farm in 1999, where they built their new home, and Roger farmed the land he had always loved.
Sharon passed away in 2006, and Roger retired later that year.
An avid reader, Roger could always be found with a good book nearby, and he loved to talk about his current stack of books. Roger loved music, especially county and classical.
Roger passed away in Boone, Iowa, on Thursday, April 4. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Jeanette Walker; and brother, Jerry Conant.
Roger is survived by his daughter, Joanna Conant Neff of Jefferson; grandsons, Kaleb (Jenny) Neff of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and Jared Neff of Minburn; his former son-in-law, Kevin Neff; extended family; and many friends.
A visitation will be held Monday, April 8 from 5-7 p.m. at the Perry Bible Church. The services will be Tuesday, April 9 at 10 a.m. at the Perry Bible Church in Perry, Iowa.
