Roger Thornburg Obituary

Roger Thornburg, 81, of Baxter, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Park Centre in Newton, Iowa. His celebration of life service will be at Benola's Pub and Patio on Saturday, June 28, 2025, form 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Roger was born on October 14, 1943, in Pleasantville, Iowa to Floyd and Mary (Poulson) Thornburg. He grew up in Pleasantville and went to Pleasantville High School. Roger was known as the Pleasantville Flash for his speed on the basketball team. He graduated with the class of 1962. After graduation, Roger worked as a handyman and carpenter. On July 12, 1965, he married Janet Jones, and the couple moved to Altoona. In 1973, they moved to Baxter and Roger began working at the Lumberyard. He later worked for Milligan Brother's before joining the Baxter School as a custodian. Roger took great pride in his job at the school and all of the kids loved him. He retired in 2004 after 30 years of service.
Roger loved spending time with his family, fishing, hunting, trapping, dancing, the Iowa Hawkeyes, and the Kansas City Chiefs. He had a green thumb and could often be found tending to his vegetables and rose bushes.
Those left to cherish his loving memory are his children Brian Thornburg of Newton, IA and Sherry Flora of Baxter, Iowa; grandchildren Kyle (Paige) Flora of Baxter, IA, Andrew Swanson of California, and Abby Koeneke of Newton, IA; sisters Sherryll McDermott of Marshalltown, IA, Dora (Tom) Newsome of Kansas City, MO, and Mary (Lance) Whyle of San Antonio, TX; ex-wife Janet Thornburg; and many nieces and nephews.
Roger is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Gene Thornburg, Junior Thornburg, Delano Thornburg, Sharon Gray, Jim Thornburg, and Kenny Thornburg.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.
Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care has been entrusted with the care of Roger.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Roger, please visit our floral store.