Roger Harry Jeys

Roger Harry Jeys, 88, of Cedar Falls, passed away at the Martin Suites at Western Home Communities on Saturday, February 24, 2024 from Alzheimer's dementia. He was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on August 6, 1935, son of George and Viola (Hughes) Jeys. Roger attended Waterloo West High School where he was an active member of the Civil Air Patrol, graduating in May of 1955, and, then, joined the Navy Reserves, serving for 12 years. He married Ruth White on June 15, 1958, at the First Reformed Church of Evansdale. Roger worked at Rath Packing, United Rent-Alls and, finally, as a Machinist for John Deere at the Product Engineering Center for over 30 years before retiring in January 1996.

Roger's love for his family was unwavering and he never passed a young child that he didn't try to make smile. His hobbies included a love of travel, many years of camping, watching NASCAR races and tinkering. He had a rampant sweet tooth and was known to have a slice of EACH flavor of pie at the Thanksgiving table so as not to offend any of the cooks. There wasn't a stale donut around that couldn't be made edible by a slather of peanut butter. Roger's organizational skills were unmatched and his garage shop at the family home was kept immaculate with a place (and label!) for every tool he owned. He was an animated story-teller who loved a good prank or joke; both in telling them and hearing them told.

Roger is survived by Ruth, his wife of 66 years; daughters, Callie (Bruce) Weigel of Elma, Iowa, Kristi (Ron) Dennis of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Caren (Bret) Kruse of Cedar Falls; 5 grandchildren, Michele (Rob) Oleszewski, Shaela Dennis, Zach (Elise) Weigel, Kim (Jacob) Zakostelecky and Jarrett Kruse; 2 great-grandchildren, Amelia Zakostelecky and Dominic Oleszewski; 2 sisters, Georgeann Leiss, and Barbara (Terry VanEe) Erickson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jerald (Marlene) Jeys; and great-granddaughter, Olive Oleszewski.

Visitation for Roger will be held from 4–6pm at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home on Sunday, March 3rd. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 4th at the funeral home with an hour visitation prior. Following services, please join the family for a reception starting at 11:30am at AMVETS Post 49, 1934 Irving St, Cedar Falls. Memorials may be directed to The Family of Roger Jeys for future designation.