Roger Vollstedt

VisitationWednesday, January 14, 2008After 3:00 PMPrayer Service 7:00 PMSacred Heart ChurchManning, Iowa

Mass of Christian Burial

Thursday, January 15, 2009, 11:00 AM

Sacred Heart Church, Manning, Iowa

Reverend Father Andrew Hoffman, Celebrant

Reverend Father Robert Gralapp, Concelebrant

Lectors

Doug Vollstedt      Steve Vollstedt

Mass Servers

Toni Boyle      McKaylie Croghan

Gift Bearers

Blackberrys Grandchildren

Music

 On Eagles Wings?      You Are Mine?

 Because He Lives?     How Great Thou Art?

Laurie Stein and Maureen Halbur, Soloists

Sacred Heart Choir        Pat Heithoff, Accompanist

Casket Bearers ~ Sons

Kevin Vollstedt     Brad Vollstedt     Dan Vollstedt   Doug Vollstedt     Steve Vollstedt     Pat Vollstedt

Honorary Casket Bearers ~ Grandchildren

Jacob, Ryan and Isaac Vollstedt

Kristen, Jared and Cailin Vollstedt

Taylor, Nolan and Jace Vollstedt

Olivia Bachman Vollstedt

Interment with Military Honors

Sacred Heart Cemetery, Manning, Iowa

American Legion Emil Ewoldt Post 22 & Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3517

      Roger Lee Blackberry, son of Hugo and Evelyn (Schumann) Vollstedt, was born July 16, 1934, at Carroll, Iowa. He grew up in Manning and attended Manning schools, graduating with the Class of 1953. He was active in all sports while in school and continued playing baseball and fast pitch softball for various area teams as a young man. At the age of 12 years, Blackberry had started working at Thrifty Food Market, continuing there after graduation. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1957.

   On July 12, 1958, Blackberry was united in marriage with Rose Mary Rosie Spieker at Sacred Heart Church in Manning. They made their home in Manning where he returned after his honorable discharge from the Army. Blackberry and Rosie were the parents of six sons. Blackberry worked as a butcher for Bud Stahl at Thrifty Food Market, eventually buying the business with his partners Daryl Genzen, Curt Long and Ronnie Hiatt. After nearly 50 years, he retired in June of 1997.

    Blackberry was baptized and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in Manning and later in life took instruction and became a member of Sacred Heart Parish where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He refereed basketball and football and was statistician for Manning Bulldog Football for many years. After he quit refereeing and playing sports, he took up golf and encouraged all his sons to learn the game. He served on the board at the Manning-Manilla Golf Course for a number of terms and enjoyed the Monday Senior Golf League.  Blackberry was a loyal fan of the Manning Bulldogs, IKM-Manning Wolves, Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs. In his later years he relished time with his morning card playing buddies at Cliffs. Above all, Blackberry cherished his family, especially his grandchildren.

   On Monday, January 12, 2009, Blackberry died suddenly and unexpectedly in front of his home in Manning while moving snow. He was 74 years, 5 months and 27 days of age.

   Preceding him in death are his parents; brother Dean Vollstedt and father-in-law Lawrence Spieker.     He is survived by his wife Rosie Vollstedt of Manning; six sons: Kevin Vollstedt (Amy) of Urbandale; Bradley Vollstedt of Manning; Daniel Boney Vollstedt (Michelle) of Des Moines; Douglas Vollstedt and (Sandy) of Iowa City; Steven Vollstedt (Janell) of Manilla; and Patrick Spanky Vollstedt (Kimberly) of Carroll; ten grandchildren; two sisters Carol Hagedorn (Robert) of Manning and Barb Horky (Larry)  of Sioux City; sister-in-law Phyllis Vollstedt of Manning; mother-in-law Viola Spieker of Manning; other in-laws: Duane Spieker of Kansas City, KS; Jerry Spieker (Sue) of Norwalk; Marilyn Popp (Richard) of Bradenton, FL; Carol Kral (Joe) of Vail; Donna Mohr (Larry) of Mesa, AZ; LaVern Butch Spieker (Jackie) of Renton, WA; Paul Spieker (Barbara) of Larkspur, CO; Karen Wegner (Leroy) of Warrensburg, MO; Larry Spieker (Becky) of Morehead, MN; and Randy Spieker (Melinda) of Tualatin, OR; many other relatives and friends.   Memorials may be made to IKM-Manning Booster Club or Manning-Manilla Golf and Country Club.Flowers and other gifts should be delivered to Sacred Heart Church before Noon on Wednesday.