Roger Wakelin

Roger D. Wakelin, 69, of Kearney died Monday, May 21, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Hospital. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, May 24 at the First United Methodist Church in Kearney with Rev. Gary Main officiating. Masonic rites will be conducted by Rob Morris Lodge #46 A.F. & A.M of Kearney. There will be no visitation. Interment will be at the Kearney Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Online condolences or personal reflections may be submitted at osrfh.com. O'Brien - Straatmann - Redinger Funeral Home of Kearney is in charge of arrangements. He was born on March 8, 1943 in Grand Island, Nebraska to Robert and Wilma (Skinner) Wakelin. He grew up in Grand Island and graduated from Grand Island High School. He continued his education at Kearney State College, receiving his degree in secondary education. While at KSC, he was a member of Tri Phi Fraternity, and through a blind date met his wife of 48 years, Connie (Burtis) Wakelin. They were wed on April 17, 1964 in Kearney, after which the couple made their home in Grand Island. To this union, 2 daughters were born. Lynne Renee and Janelle Jo. The family made homes over the years in Spencer, IA, Kearney and Chickasha, OK. Roger was a skilled business man and salesman with a passion for fairness and character building. He worked for Sahling Kenworth, New Holland, Field Queen, International Harvester, and John Deere throughout the years. In 1988, Roger and Connie purchased the Kearney Ford New Holland Dealership, which was renamed Wakelin Implement. After a very successful seven years of ownership they sold the business to Fairbanks Implement. Roger went to work as Service Manager at Sahling Kenworth, from where he retired in March of 2008. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Tehama Shrine, Fort Kearney Shrine Club, Rob Morris Masonic Lodge #46, and the Kearney Archway Corvette Club at the time of his death, but had enjoyed Barbershoppers and volunteered for other community organizations throughout the years. He enjoyed his family, singing, tractors, Corvettes, hunting with his friends and grandsons, and making relationships. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Connie of Kearney; daughters, Lynne Beckstead and husband, Patrick of Kearney, Janelle Rolls and husband, Steven of Alliance, NE; grandsons, Joshua and Nicholas Follmer, Colton and Gage Rolls; granddaughter, Ryley Rolls; sister, Joanne Lanman and husband, Wendell of Parker, CO; nieces, Stephanie Braeden, and Krista Schmidt, also of Parker, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Roger Wakelin

March 8, 1943 - May 21, 2012