Roger Samuel Conant

Ever one for a good story, Roger Conant began his own, being born in a boxcar on April 1st, 1939 in Paton, Iowa to Howard David Conant and Vera Louise Hansen Conant. When Roger was nine months old, the family purchased what would become the existing family farm from Roger’s great uncles, George, Jim and Pard, South of Jefferson.

Growing up on the farm instilled a strong work ethic, which Roger embraced throughout his life. He attended the one room country school just down the road from the family farm. He saved his money, and bought his first car, a Studebaker, while still in high school.

Roger graduated from Jefferson Community Schools in 1957. Immediately following graduation, Roger and his brother, Jerry, went to work for Shriver Van Horn Construction Company putting up grain bins around the area. Roger joined the Air Force in 1959, and served for four years. He was stationed in Alabama for basic training, and at Fort Sam Houston in Texas for Vet Tech training. He was later was stationed at Offut Airforce Base in Omaha, where he worked with sentry dogs in the Veterinary Services.

Roger met the love of his life, Sharon Lee Zimmerle, on New Year’s Eve 1958, and they were married on April 18th, 1962 in Jefferson, Iowa at the United Methodist Church. While Roger was still in the Air Force, he and Sharon co-managed a motel in Omaha with another couple.

Following Roger’s time in the Air Force, the couple moved back to Jefferson for a short time, and later moved to Cooper, Iowa in 1966. In 1968, the couple was blessed with their daughter, Joanna. Roger was employed by Frigidaire, Franklin Manufacturing and Electrolux in Jefferson. Roger was a member of the Farm Bureau, and the Perry Bible Church, and also served as a Franklin Township Trustee from 1989-1992.

Roger and Sharon moved to the family farm in 1999, where they built their new home, and Roger farmed the land he had always loved. Sharon passed away in 2006, and Roger retired later that year. An avid reader, Roger could always be found with a good book nearby, and loved to talk about his current stack of books. Roger loved music, especially county and classical.

Roger passed away in Boone, Iowa on Thursday, April 4th. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Jeanette Walker, and brother, Jerry Conant. He is survived by his daughter, Joanna Conant Neff of Jefferson, grandsons Kaleb Neff (Jenny) of Mechanicsburg, PA, and Jared Neff of Minburn, Iowa, his former son-in-law, Kevin Neff, extended family, and many friends.

A visitation will be held Monday, April 8, 2024 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Perry Bible Church. The service will be Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 10:00am at the Perry Bible Church in Perry, IA.