Roger Dale Schwaninger

Visitation: Friday, April 18, 2025, 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Peterson Mortuary, 212 S. Locust Street, Glenwood, Iowa.

Services: Saturday, April 19, 2025, 10:30 A.M., Grace United Methodist Church, 112 N. Walnut Street, Glenwood, Iowa.

Grace United Methodist Church Facebook Livestream Link for Roger’s Service: Www.Facebook.com/graceumcglenwood

**Please wear blue or red article of clothing in honor of Roger for his visitation and service.

Roger Dale Schwaninger left this life on earth on Monday, April 14, 2025 at Methodist Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska.  He was born December 30, 1946 to parents Elgin J. Schwaninger and Dorothy Mae Cook Schwaninger in Beatrice, Nebraska.  He attended Kindergarten and First grade in Beatrice.  The family moved to Holdrege, Nebraska in 1955.  He graduated with the class of 1965 from Holdrege Senior High School.  He was baptized and confirmed his faith with United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska.  He graduated from Milford Community College in the field of auto body repair in May 1967.  Roger was drafted into the U. S. Army and entered basic training at Ft. Benning, Georgia.  He was transferred to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma for AIT in the field of artillery survey.  He served his time in Baumholder, W. Germany and was honorably discharged with the rank as Sargeant in June 1969.

He married Phyllis Ione Poague on November 4, 1967, at Bethal Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska.  He left two weeks later for his deployment to the U. S. Army Post in Baumholder, W. Germany.  While stationed in Baumholder, he and Phyllis toured many places in Germany, France, Switzerland and Holland.  After being discharged, the couple made their home in Grand Island, Nebraska.  Roger was employed at the Grand Island Ammunition Plant and later employed at Swift Meat Packing Plant.  To this union, four daughters were born, Bonnie Sue, Jennifer Lynn, Angela Dawn and Janelle Marie.  Due to the plant closing, the family moved to Glenwood, Iowa, August 1979, where Roger was employed at Swift Meat plant in Glenwood.  He entered an apprenticeship in plant maintenance at Swifts.  In 1985, he was employed at Robert’s Dairy in Omaha.  He retired in 2012.  Roger and Phyllis relocated in April 2024 to Clarinda, Iowa to be near the family.

Waiting for him in Heaven are his parents, Elgin and Dorothy Schwaninger, sister Joyce Hoffman and brother in law, Sam Hoffman of Rancho Cordova, California,  sister Linda Bates of Stella, Nebraska and his brother, Rex Schwaninger from Bettendorf, Iowa and his daughter Janelle Schwaninger from Glenwood, Iowa,  Surviving him is his wife Phyllis Schwaninger of Clarinda, Iowa, daughters Bonnie (Dan] Lieberth of Chandler, Arizona, Jennifer [Jim} Chambers and Angela [Jason} Chambers of Clarinda, Iowa. Sister Judy Larson of Axtell, Nebraska, sister-in-law Margie Schwaninger of Bettendorf, Iowa and brother-in-law Max Bates of Stella, Nebraska.  10 grandchildren, Trevor Lieberth of Belgrade, Montana, Tyler Lieberth of Goodyear, Arizona, Hannah Lieberth of Mesa, Arizona, Madeline { D.J.} Whitlatch of Maryville, Missouri, Dillon Chambers, Jacob Chambers, Keegan Chambers, Alex Chambers and Anna Chambers, all of Clarinda, Iowa, Kirsten Davenport of Lincoln, Nebraska,  8 great grandchildren.  Many cousins, nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Roger enjoyed reading, working on cars, golfing with his friends, Larry, Al, and Todd.  They had many good times together.  He also enjoyed fishing with other friends and playing 10 point pitch.  Since he didn’t have any boys, he was glad to see the sons-in-law join the family and grandsons too.  He loved playing with his daughters and grandkids.  He took his family on many vacations and loved traveling and seeing new places.  Family was very important to him.

Roger was a member of the American Legion Post and a longtime member of Grace United Methodist Church where he served on many committees and enjoyed helping at the Mills County Ministerial Pantry.

Roger was a man of integrity, kindness, and always helpful.  He entertained the family with several Dad jokes with the family.  They either laughed or groaned.  He always told the girls to remember to check the oil in their cars and the tires and to drive carefully.

Roger’s message to all family and friends is to please open your hearts to Jesus and invite Him in.  He says he wants to see you all in Heaven someday.

Roger will be missed by all who knew and loved him.  Rest in peace.  You earned it good and faithful servant. 

Interment: Saturday, April 19, 2025, 3:00 P.M., Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 6800 S. 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Memorial Donations have been designated to: Mills County Ministerial Pantry, Grace United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society.