Rodger D. Falkenberg

Rodger D. Falkenberg, 75, Bloomer, passed away Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, after a courageous battle against Lewy bodies dementia.

Rodger was born Nov. 6, 1946, to Carl and Rose (Jiskra) Falkenberg.

He graduated from Cadott High School and joined the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam.

Rodger married the love of his life, Donna (Seibel/Braden), Sept. 2, 1972, and he became an instant dad to two very lucky girls.

He worked as a cheese maker at Jim Falls Dairy, as a large diesel mechanic and from 1978 to retirement, as a school and charter bus driver, and mechanic for Kobussen Buses – Bloomer (formerly Geissler Bus and Blackhawk Express).

He was busy tinkering with or “fixing” something. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, going up to the land, camping, fishing, hunting and teaching his grandkids life skills. He was a member of Saint Paul’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the Bloomer VFW.

Rodger loved to laugh and share this joy with others (sometimes, at his own expense). He will forever be remembered for talking Donald Duck.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years – Donna; two daughters – Kelly Barrick (William Prill), Elk Mound, and Lisa (Delwin) Cottrell, Trego; four grandchildren – Drew and Ashton Barrick, and Douglas and Rebecca Cottrell; 12 siblings – Muriel Rose, Evie (Howard) McAvoy, Ernie (special friend Janet), Carl (Judy), Beverly (Richard) Paulsen, Maggie Fincham, Mary Ann (Larry) Lemmo, Donna (Gary) Loring, Jan (Kevin) Westerman, Bill (Janice), Leslie and Dawn Gardner; four sisters-in-law – Joan (Tom) Schwartz, Lois (John) Petska, Janet (Jim) Michaud and Kathy Budzinski; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers – Joe, LaVerne and Eugene; four brothers-in-law – Bob Rose, Greg Gardner, Paul Seibel and Myron Budzinski; in-laws – Bert and Jeanette Seibel; and family cat – Kitter.

Special thanks to VitaCare Living and Moments Hospice, for all their care and support.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Oct. 10, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Bloomer, with Father Victor Feltes celebrating the mass. Burial with military monors conducted by the Bloomer VFW and American Legion/AmVets, will follow at St. Paul’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 1-4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 9. at Thompson Funeral Home & Chippewa Valley Cremation Services in Bloomer.

Thompson Funeral Home & Chippewa Valley Cremation Services in Bloomer, is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be expressed at thompsonfuneralhome. com.