Roger William Conklin, age 89, beloved husband, father and grandfather, of Wheeler, WI, died peacefully at home on July 7, 2017, with his family by his side. Roger was born on October 16, 1927, in Cedar Falls, IA, to Roger Clyde Conklin and Leona (Danekas) Conklin. He grew up in New Hartford, IA; played basketball and enlisted in the Navy in 1945 when the basketball season ended. He used the GI Bill to attend Iowa State College and graduated in Ag Education. He worked as a summer 4-H agent during college and later became the Ramsey County Agent in St. Paul, MN. He started tree farming with another county agent and continued graduate work in horticulture. He was a progressive tree farmer – embracing the use of helicopters, new tree species, shearing techniques and up to date horticultural and sales practices. He was on the boards of the Minnesota and Wisconsin Christmas Tree associations. He was active serving Dunn County as chair for Economic Development, Menomonie Kiwanis, and local churches. His leisure time focused on family and the out of doors – hunting, fishing, flying, and enjoying his youngest son's sports endeavors, especially hockey. Most of all, he provided support for the needs of loved ones – family and friends – throughout his long life. His final dream was the Conklin Legacy Forest, made possible through the efforts of family members and friends over many years. Ones who plant trees do not plant for themselves, they plant for posterity. Survived by loving wife of 50 years, Sarah 'Sally' Catherine; sons, Craig William (Mary Anne) of Colfax and Jeffrey Michael of Wisconsin Rapids; granddaughters, Catherine 'Cathy' Leona (Adam) Bauer and Virginia 'Ginny' Arlene (Jon) Bauer, all of Wheeler; great-grandchildren, Jeremy, Ryan, Sara, Abby, Samantha, Emilia and Evangeline; siblings, Dean Conklin of Winthrop, MN, Yvonne (Gilbert) Goodwater of Spokane, WA, and Arlene Howe of Racine; and many nieces, nephews, a cousin, in-laws and dear friends. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, 2017, at the Colfax United Methodist Church, 501 Cedar St., Colfax. Visitation, also at the church, will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 14, 2017, and again one hour prior to the service. A dessert reception at the church will follow the service. Inurnment will take place at the Hay River Township Cemetery. Military Honors will be conducted by the Russell Toycen American Legion Post 131. Memorials honoring Roger are preferred to the Colfax United Methodist Church, PO Box 216, Colfax, WI 54730, Mayo Home Health and Hospice, Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905, Please make checks payable to MCHS-NWWI Hospice, or the donor's choice. Sampson Funeral Home is assisting his family with arrangements. To express online condolences, please visit www.sampsonfuneralhome.com.

Service Information

Cemetery

Hay River Township Cemetery Wheeler WI

Visitation

Friday, July 14 2017 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Colfax Methodist Church 501 Cedar St. Colfax WI 54730

Visitation

Saturday, July 15 2017 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Colfax Methodist Church 501 Cedar St. Colfax WI 54730

Memorial Service

Saturday, July 15 2017 1:00 PM

Colfax Methodist Church 501 Cedar St. Colfax WI 54730