Roger C. Obrecht

Roger Claire Obrecht formerly of Thornton and most recently of the Mason City area passed away Thursday July 18, 2024 at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City, Iowa. Woodley Funeral Home and Crematory, Thornton is caring for Roger and his family. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 22, 2024, at Richland Lutheran Church, Thornton with Pastor Caleb Helmen presiding. Interment will be at Pleasant View Cemetery, Thornton. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Roger was born July 31, 1935, on a farm in Franklin County, Iowa, the third child of Floyd and Effie Obrecht. Roger was born 12 years after Thayne and 19 years after Vivian. Roger was confirmed in the Danish Lutheran Church and later he and his parents joined the Richland Lutheran Church. After his marriage, he joined St. John’s Episcopal Church in Mason City. As a young boy Roger had chores to do on the farm. One of the many chores was to shell ear corn by hand for the chickens until a mechanical sheller was acquired. Roger attended Thornton Consolidated High School and graduated in 1953. While in school he participated in basketball and baseball. After graduation Roger joined his father and brother farming in Franklin County. He later joined the military and served in the Army. After serving in the military Roger returned home to the farm where hogs, cattle, chickens and crops were raised. Roger was united in marriage to Leah Krauth in 1984 and moved to the Mason City area where he and Leah raised dogs. They spent much time traveling and tending to the acreage where he enjoyed inventing things. He could see a problem and come up with a solution to solve it. For example, he connected 2 lawnmowers together so mowing the acreage took less time. He took pride in ownership of the family farm and was actively involved in its operation. Roger was always helping others and helped care for the outside property at the church where he was a member. The pastor there said the members called him “Saint Roger.” He was always there to support his neighbors. After retirement Roger spent many hours visiting friends in nursing homes and assisted living facilities which he truly enjoyed. He loved going out to eat at local restaurants with friends in the evening and was frequently their taxi. Roger had many great nephews and nieces so he was frequently attending weddings, graduations and family holiday dinners. He loved serving and helping others and for many years he volunteered at the Community Kitchen by cooking and transporting supplies. He served as Treasurer of Richland Lutheran Church for 25 years and attended the morning coffee group at the Thornton Elevator for many years. Higher education was important to him and he was generous to help provide financial support for his great niece’s and nephew’s educational costs. He was preceded in death by his wife of 25 years, Leah in 2005; parents, Floyd and Effie; brother and sister-in-law, Thayne and Opal; sister and brother-in-law, Vivian and Joe; and niece, Colleen and many friends. Left to mourn are his nieces and nephew: Audrene Hansen, Maureen Modderman, Jacqueline (Gary) Dirks, Martha Statlander; Mary (Paul) Schlichting; and Jeff Obrecht (Becky Parrish); 60 great nieces and nephews; step son, Dan Krauth; and step granddaughter; Mary (Brian) DeZiel and their children.

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Roger C. Obrecht

July 31, 1935 - July 18, 2024