Roger Andersen, 85, passed away on April 15, 2018 in Ames. A gathering of friends and family will be 4-6:00 p.m. Thursday, April 19, 2018 at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa. A celebration of life funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 20, at First United Methodist Church, 516 Kellogg Ave, Ames, Iowa. Burial will be at Ames Municipal Cemetery.

Roger was born in Shelby County, IA to Niels and Helga Andersen. He graduated from Storm Lake High School, earned a B.A. in Music Education from Buena Vista College, and an MME in Music Education from Drake University. He was also very proud of his status as a first-generation American.

Following college, Roger spent two years in the Army. He then began an instrumental music teaching career that took him to the Radcliffe, West Monona, and Ames Community schools.

Roger is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joan, and his five children David (Marian) of Coralville, IA, Diane (Pat) Hawks of Anna, TX, Lisa (David) Chizek of Toledo, IA, Karen (Larry) Prescott of Bloomington, MN, and Kristin (Greg) White of Louisville, CO, 14 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and several step grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Family, laughter, community, music, and travel were what Roger loved best. He was a member of many bands including the 3rd Armored Division Band, the Karl King Band, and the Heart of Iowa Senior Band, as well as a variety of others. Roger shared his love of music and had an impact on the lives of thousands of students over 38 years of teaching. Roger was loved by many and will be truly missed.