Roger Neels, 77, of Montezuma, passed away Thurs-day morning, Sept. 30, 2021, at his home in Montezuma. Funeral services were Wednesday, Oct. 6, at Community Hope Church in Montezuma. Burial was held in the Jackson Township Cemetery in Montezuma. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Montezuma Fire Department or the Blakley-Stevens American Legion Post 169 in Montezuma.
Roger Dale Neels, the son of Leonard and Margaret (Stouwie) Neels, was born on Feb. 28, 1944, in Sully. He attended Pella Christian High School. On Mar. 14, 1969, Roger was united in marriage to Linda Akers-Thompson at the Montezuma Methodist Church. To this union, they raised three children, Bill, Sheryl, and Tony. Roger enlisted with the United States Army in 1965, where he was a helicopter gunner during the Vietnam War. After he was honorably discharged in 1967, Roger held several sales positions and drove semi truck. In 1981, Roger moved to Montezuma and began his sanitation career with Brooks Cartidge before owning and operating R&L Sanitation for several years until his retirement. Roger enjoyed shooting pool, bowling, and hanging out on his deck with some friends having a cold one. He loved ‘50s and ‘60s music and could tell you who sang every song. Roger was a member of the Montezuma Fire Department, the Blakley-Stevens American Legion Post #196, and the VFW.
His legacy will be honored by Linda Neels; their children, Bill (Kim) Thompson of Sioux Falls, SD, Sheryl (Todd) Freeborn of Montezuma, and Tony (Nancy) Neels of Altoona; grandchildren Kati (Justin) Bernard, Dustin Jividen, Krystal (Adam) Talbert, Colin (Kiegan) Watts, Seth (Lexi Kriegel) Freeborn, Melissa (Jimmy) Reed, Christopher (Abby Weinzetl) Thompson; 12 great grandchildren; a sister, Loretta Neels Thomas; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Neels and Dawn (Chuck) Akers Farmer; along with other friends, Doug and Carrie Barnes and Kim Wiegand, and many other nieces, nephews, and friends.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Margaret Neels, and a brother, Willis Neels.
