A Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper
Roger Waggie, 95, of Rochester, Minn., formerly of Newell, died Oct. 10, 2026, in Rochester.
Graveside services will take place Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 11:30 a.m. in St. John’s Cemetery in rural Albert City. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Roger Dewayne Waggie, the eldest son of Roy and Dora (Beckfield) Waggie, was born Oct. 21, 1930, in Newell and was raised on the family farm. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church, rural Albert City, which he attended for the majority of his life. After graduation from Newell High School in 1948, he briefly attended Wartburg College before enlisting in the Army where he served in Korea in the Army Signal Corps. After an honorary discharge he enrolled at Iowa State University. While in college he married Majorie Wilson in December 1954, and the following year, their daughter Kimberly was born. After receiving a bachelor of science degree in agricultural education in 1957 he accepted a position with the extension service as the Pocahontas County youth assistant. When presented with the opportunity to farm, he returned to Newell in 1962.
He was active in his church and community and served on the Newell-Providence School and Newell Cooperative Elevator boards. His wife Marjorie died in 1983. The following year he married Barbara (Degner) Beilby.
After retiring in 1996, Roger and Barbara moved to Storm Lake where they lived for 20 years, then eventually moved to Rochester, Minn., to be nearer family.
Barbara died in April 2026 and Roger followed on Oct. 10 the same year.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers: Merle, Dale and Larry. Survivors include daughter Kim and her partner Leanna from Mount Vernon, Wash.; stepsons: David and wife Lisa from Wausau, Wis.; Stephen in Rochester, Minn.; Doug and wife Jennifer from Grand Island, Neb.; and Larry and wife Kim from Boyd, Texas; and their families.
