Donald Gene Roggatz

Donald G. Roggatz, age 75, of Correctionville, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at the UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s of Sioux City.  A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 10:30 AM at the Grace Lutheran Church of Correctionville with the Rev. Robert Zellmer officiating.  Burial will be at the Correctionville Cemetery of Correctionville with military rites conducted by the American Legion Mumford-Moon Post #79 and VFW Sioux Valley Post #1750 of Correctionville.  A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2025 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Correctionville.

Donald G Roggatz was born May 28, 1949 at the family farm near Correctionville, IA to Carl and Ellen (Jeffrey) Roggatz. He lived his entire lifetime in the Correctionville and Anthon areas. He attended country school and public school up until the 8th grade, then went to work on the family farm.

Don was united in marriage to Mary Jo Jackson on September 3, 1969 at the Trinity Lutheran Parsonage in Anthon, IA. To this union two children were born, Jason and Loretta.

At age 11, he started working out as a hired hand to help his neighbors and worked on the family farm. In 1967, he enlisted in the US Air Force and served until receiving an honorable medical discharge in 1969. After the military, he drove a gravel and cement truck, farmed (himself & others), worked at a couple service stations in Correctionville, made hydraulic cylinders, drove school bus for Eastwood Community School, and also owned and operated Heartland Construction and had a tree removal service for many years.

Don was a member of the American Legion in Correctionville, IA. He was also a volunteer with the Correctionville Fire & Rescue and served as the assistant fire chief for many years. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Correctionville, IA. He belonged to the Northwest lowa Tractor Pullers Association.

He loved to spend time with his family, friends, and tinker in the garage. He never went out and really bought a lot of tools because he would make them from scratch instead. Don was never a stranger to anyone, because everywhere he went he would find someone to talk to. He enjoyed going to car shows, toy shows, swap meets, hunting/fishing, and of course, tractor pulls. He started pulling tractors himself in 1967 and continued in one form or another up until 2018. He loved restoring his dad's 1948 Willy's Jeep and was in the long process of restoring the first car he ever bought.

Don is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Jo Roggatz of Correctionville; son, Jason Roggatz of Correctionville, IA; daughter Loretta (Jim) Swanson of Homer, NE; granddaughters Britney (Michael) Goodwin of Pittsfield, NH, Erin (Jacob Rader) Frahm of Homer, NE, Sidney Swanson of Sioux City, IA; grandson Sam (Annie) Swanson of Homer, NE; great grandson Oliver Swanson of Homer, NE; brother Alvin (Sandy) Roggatz of Correctionville, IA and several nieces and nephews, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Wayne Roggatz, Ron Roggatz; brother-in-law, Bob Lyman; sister-in-laws, Lois Roggatz, Linda Roggatz, Marge Lyman; nephews, Duane Roggatz, Byron Roggatz; mother-in-law, Hazel Jackson; father-in-law, Thomas Jackson; and son-in-law Mike Frahm.