Roger A. Sturtz

Roger Allen Sturtz, age 75, of Humboldt, passed away December 11, 2016 at the Long Term Care Unit of the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital. A Celebration of Life gathering for Roger will be Sunday, December 18, 2016 from 5-8 p.m. at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt. Burial will be Monday, December 19, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. in Beaver Cemetery, Beaver, Iowa.

Roger was the son of LaVerne and Lillian (Titman) Sturtz, born Christmas Day, 1940. He was raised on a farm near Boxholm, with brothers Gene and Keith and sister Betty. Following his graduation from Boxholm High School, Roger went to work for Quaker Oats at Beaver where he met Jacqueline Wenger..

On September 4, 1965, he and Jackie were united in marriage and the couple lived in Boone where they started their family. In 1970 they moved to Lebanon, Indiana near Indianapolis. In 1972, the family returned to Iowa and made their home in Humboldt where Roger worked for Farm Egg and later for the Des Moines Register as regional carrier supervisor. On January 1, 1983, the family purchased Sundance Lanes in Humboldt, which they have owned and operated as a family since. He loved his bowling business and was seen there daily for over 30 years. His customers were like an extended family. He was a talker and a salesman, never met anyone that shouldn’t join a bowling league.

In Roger’s younger years, he enjoyed numerous sports but that soon shrank to bowling and activities with his three boys and his beloved wife. He would’ve done anything for his family. In the 1980’s, Roger became interested in both thoroughbred and standardbred horses, with the harness racing a family business to this day. An accomplished bowler, Roger was an intense competitor in both leagues and tournaments with several perfect games. Later, he enjoyed coin collecting and trips to Prairie Meadows.

Roger is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jackie; his sons, Scott, Cary, and Shawn; and his mother, Lillian Sturtz of Fort Dodge. His father and brother Gene preceded him in death.