Harold Dean Rogers

Harold Dean Rogers, age 94, of Des Moines, Iowa, formerly of Albia, IA, passed away on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Valley View Village in Des Moines. Harold was born on October 25, 1929. He was the sixth born child to Claude and Maud Rogers in the Rogers family home in rural Albia, IA. Harold was raised on the family farm located south of Albia. The farm was 120 acres where the family milked Holstein cows and grew corn and beans. Harold and his five brothers and three sisters helped on the farm milking cows and taking care of the livestock. Harold recalled having a “great time” growing up on the farm with his siblings. There were “ponies to ride and cows to be milked.” Harold and his siblings walked through the fields or rode a pony each day to attend school in a one room schoolhouse. The family did not have modern conveniences that city dwellings had. The farmhouse was updated with indoor plumbing in 1945 and electricity in 1947. Harold graduated from the Albia High School with the class of 1947. Harold joined the United States Army on November 18, 1952, serving in the Korean War. His position was a gunner, shooting 60 mm mortar. He recalled his time in the Korean War as “a great adventure.” He returned from Korea on October 23, 1954. Upon returning from the war, Harold got a job as a Produce Manager at Thriftway Grocery in Des Moines. He met his future bride, Phyllis Rees while roller skating on “Ladies Night” at a skating rink in downtown Des Moines in 1954. He was hired at Colonial Bakery as a bread route delivery man in 1955. Harold and Phyllis were married on February 5, 1956, at Park Avenue Christian Church in Des Moines. They purchased a newly constructed home on the south side of Des Moines and raised their family there. Harold and Phyllis were blessed with three children, Ronald, Karen, and Phillip. They enjoyed spending time with their family boating, camping, water skiing, riding motorcycles, and going on family vacations. Harold continued working at Colonial Bead until 1980. He then purchased Brownberry Bread franchise in Des Moines. The sales territory was larger than what Harold had at Colonial so he hired another route man, his son, Ron and later his nephew, Glen. Harold continued to deliver Brownberry Bread until he was offered an opportunity to sell the franchise. During retirement, Harold and Phyllis spent time traveling. They toured all 50 states as well as Canada and Mexico. They also went to Ireland and were able to see the area where Phyllis’s ancestors had lived. Harold also had several part-time jobs after he retired including delivering checks for the courier service, delivering parts for Wykoff Heating and Air Conditioning, and delivering Meals on Wheels for Wesley Life. Harold enjoyed gardening, weekly poker games with his friends, watching football on television with his lovely wife, and playing with his grandchildren. Harold is survived by his wife of 67 years, Phyllis; a son, Ronald (Becky) Rogers and their son, Nick (Kellie) Rogers, Nick and Kellie’s children, Cole and Brenna; a daughter, Karen (Bryan Sr.) Nevins and their son, Bryan Jr. (Hailey) Nevins, Bryan and Hailey’s children, MaKayla, Grafton, and Myia; a son, Phil (Lynn) Rogers; two brothers, Jim Rogers and Karl (Susan) Rogers; and a sister, Donna Corliss. Harold is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends. Harold is preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Maud Rogers; a grandson, Matthew in infancy; a great grandson, Will in infancy; two sisters, Rena and Pauline; and three brothers, Dwight, Clifford, and Lee. A Celebration of Life will be held from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at the Valley View Village Chapel in Des Moines, IA, with Harold’s family present to greet family and friends. Burial with military honors provided by the American Legion of Albia, Lovilia, and Melrose will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Monroe County. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in rural Monroe County.

Harold Dean Rogers

October 25, 1929 - December 3, 2023