Roger Kingery of Livingston passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on Friday morning April 3, 2020, at the age of 81.
Roger was born on April 16, 1938, in Dodgeville the son of Lester and Eleanor (Heuer) Kingery and raised in Cobb, Wisconsin. He graduated from Cobb High School on May 16, 1956, and after spending two years with the Wisconsin National Guard during high school, he enlisted in the United States Army on August 8, 1956. He proudly served his country for three years, during which time he completed basic training in Missouri, medical service school in San Antonio, Texas, and served as a medic and dental technician in Germany.
Roger met Naomi Shockley through mutual friends, and they married on June 30, 1962 in Cobb. They made their home and raised their two daughters in Livingston, Wisconsin. They loved to spend time with their family, travel and sightsee, and be around their grandchildren. They especially enjoyed country music and regularly traveled to shows around the Midwest and Branson, Missouri. Roger and Naomi were great companions and made each other laugh through nearly 60 years together.
Roger spent most of his career working with computers, in the early days of information technology. For three years he worked for American Family Insurance in Madison, Wisconsin when a computer filled an entire room. He then joined Inland Molasses Company in Dubuque, Iowa where he spent 30 years managing many changes in computer operations before going to work for Newt Marine Services for three more years. He finished his career by serving the Village of Livingston as the clerk/treasurer for six years before retiring.
He was known for his long-time interest in model railroading. His hobby began as a boy and lasted throughout his life. He loved to build model trains, visit train yards, study railroad maps, and photograph interesting trains he would see on his travels.
Roger is survived by his wife Naomi (Shockley) Kingery of Livingston, Wisconsin; daughter Rita (Marvin) Friederick of Lancaster, Wisconsin; daughter Kathy Kingery of Madison, Wisconsin; grandchildren Alisha Friederick of Dubuque, Iowa; Holly Friederick (Kedrick Beach) of Clayton, North Carolina; and Jordan Friederick of Bloomington, Wisconsin; most precious great grandson Cameron Fields of Dubuque, Iowa; sisters Mary (Randy) Schmitz of Cobb, Wisconsin and Jeanie Meyers of Montfort, Wisconsin; sister-in-law Nancy Williams of Lancaster, Wisconsin; brothers-in-law Dick (Sue) Shockley of Platteville, Wisconsin; Ed Shockley of Durand, Illinois; Charlie (Lynn) Scullion of Highland, Wisconsin; Ronnie Franklin of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; and Jerry Shockley of Dodgeville, Wisconsin. He will also be remembered fondly by three generations of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Lester and Eleanor Kingery; brother Robert and sister-in-law Marilyn Kingery; nephew Conrad Myers; in-laws Ellsworth and Kathryn Shockley; sisters-in-law Helen Scullion, Connie Franklin, Penny Shockley, and Gladys Shockley; brother-in-law Boyd Williams; nephew Christopher Scullion; and special friends Merv and Marion Breese.
Roger and his family were thankful for the many dedicated staff who cared for him at Fresenius Kidney Care of Dodgeville, Upland Hills Emergency Department and Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital, Livingston First Responders and Montfort Rescue Squad, and Agrace Hospice.
Due to the ongoing public health crisis, a private family service will be held at this time with burial at Rock Church Cemetery in Livingston. A celebration of Roger’s life will be held at a later date when family and friends can safely come together.
Soman-Larson Funeral Home of Montfort is handling arrangements.
If anyone would like to make a memorial gift, please consider donating to the volunteers of the Livingston First Responders and Montfort Rescue Squad who provide critical life-saving services to the community of Peace Lutheran Church in Cobb where Roger attended.