Roger L. Straka of Bagley passed away peacefully at his home on June 30, 2020, surrounded by loved ones. Roger was born on April 27th, 1954 in Dodgeville, WI to Clarence and Evelyn (Graham) Straka. He was united in marriage to Eileen (Fiedler) February 14, 1981 at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster.
Roger attended school in Fennimore until the family moved to the Montfort farm in 1965 where he continued school and graduated from Iowa-Grant in 1972. After graduation, he quickly found work as an equipment operator for Croft due to his farming background. Throughout the years he had many different jobs, but what he was best known for was being a truck driver. He made a lot of friends over his years of driving, most of them knew him by his CB handle, Coondog. In 2001 Roger and Eileen started their own business, R&E Remodeling, and worked mainly in southwest Wisconsin, but did on occasion travel further. His final job was working for Boulder Creek campground, formerly Jellystone, where he did what he did best, everything. He was truly a Jack-of-All-Trades.
When Roger wasn't working or fishing, he spent a great deal of time volunteering for various organizations. He was a member of the Bagley Fire Department, as well as the Bagley First Responders and was always helping with fundraising activities, whether he was a member of the organization or not. Before serving the community as the Village President, he was also a member of the Village board. Roger truly loved his community and the people in it, and that was shown every time someone would call in need of help, he would drop what he was doing to go help another in need.
Roger was a very rough and straightforward individual that sometimes had harsh but rock solid opinions. If you were lucky enough to get to know him, you would find out what a trustworthy and caring individual he truly was. He will be greatly missed not only by family and friends but also by the complete strangers that he would help when he was able.
Roger is survived by his beloved wife Eileen of Bagley, two children; Sasha Straka of Prairie du Chien, and Ken (Holly) Straka of Fennimore, three grandsons; Jutu Breuer-Hasan, Jude and Tommy Straka, mother Evelyn Straka of Fennimore, seven siblings; Marcia (Kevin) Shafer of Lisbon, CT, James (Sally) Straka of Norman, OK, Edward (Mary) Straka of Wood Dale, IL, Victoria (Larry) Latiolais of Brooklyn Park, MN, Jane (Andrew) Robbins of Lancaster, Kathleen (Steve) Peterson of Dodgeville, Donna (Ernest) Saunders of Brodhead, mother-in-law Eileen Fiedler of Lancaster along with several special nieces and nephews.
Roger was preceded in death by his father Clarence on January 6, 2018, and his father-in-law Richard Fiedler.
Honoring Roger’s wishes, there will be no formal memorial services held at this time. A Celebration of Roger’s Life will be held at a later date. The Larson Family Funeral Home of Fennimore is assisting the family and memorials may be sent here at 925 10th St. Fennimore, WI 53809.