A. Roger Witke

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Arnold Roger Witke, 91, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 19, 2023, surrounded by his family. Services will be held Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, located at 3700 Cottage Grove in Des Moines. The family invites you to join them for a visitation from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2023 at Grace United Methodist.

Roger is survived by his wife of 68 years, Darlene; their children, Mark (Sarah), Greg (JoEllyn), Paula (Pat) Green, Todd (Coreen); 9 grandchildren, Paul, Caitlin, Jared, Evan, Dustan, Jason, Danny, Lauren and David; 2 great-grandchildren, Valerie and Vivian; brothers, David and Randy; and special friends, the John Mechem family.

Roger was born on November 26, 1931 to Arnold and Rosamond Witke in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1949. He attended Simpson College in Indianola where he met the love of his life, Darlene Stout. They were married on December 19, 1954. Following graduation from Simpson, Roger served in Counterintelligence for the U.S. Army in Korea from 1954-1956. After his military service, Roger attended law school at the University of Michigan.

Upon graduation from law school, Roger and Darlene made Des Moines their home. Roger practiced law for 45 years and was a very accomplished trial lawyer with Whitfield & Eddy Law Firm. Roger was elected to the American College of Trial Lawyers, Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers, and International Association of Insurance Counsel. Among his clients was the Iowa Conference of The United Methodist Church, for which he served as Chancellor for many years. He retired from the practice of law in 2004.

Roger’s peers have shared that he was considered one of the premiere trial attorneys in Iowa. His law partners have said they learned a great deal about the practice of law and professionalism from Roger, and even more about life - especially the importance of family. He was known to have talked more about his family than any lawsuit he was handling.

Roger was a tremendous role model for his children and taught them the value of education, how to balance a career and home life, the importance of faith and service to others, the need to have fun and laugh, and the joy of eating ice cream and peanut butter sandwiches. Roger always supported his children - whether it was driving hours to take them to sporting events, managing little league baseball for 15 years, or enjoying special date nights with his only daughter.

Roger loved being a grandparent, showering his grandchildren with love and support and attending many ball games, concerts, plays and musicals with Darlene. He was very proud of his grandchildren’s accomplishments in school and in their professional careers.

Roger had a passion for sports, especially baseball. He and Darlene attended many major league games, as well as I-Cub games in Des Moines. Roger loved to keep a scorecard during the game. He liked to cheer on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates and the Iowa State Cyclones.

Faith was incorporated in everything Roger accomplished. Grace United Methodist Church was very important to him and he devoted a great deal of time teaching Sunday school, leading or serving on various committees, and participating in the church’s programs and ministries.

Roger will be missed dearly but his legacy will live on through his family, friends, and all who he has touched.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Grace United Methodist Church, whose programs and ministries meant so much to Roger.