Roger Arnold King

Roger A. King, 73, of Shawano, passed away on Monday, Feb. 3, 2020. Roger was born in Tomahawk, on June 16, 1946, to the late Harry and Verna (Hess) King. After Roger’s graduation from Reedsburg High School, he attended University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. On Sept. 2, 1967, Roger was united in marriage to Barbara Maas at the First Presbyterian Church in Merrill. He enlisted in the United States Army, serving in Ft. Leavenworth for three years. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Roger was a music teacher, teaching both band and choir. He was so talented, he could play every instrument in the band, and loved to sing. Roger was honored to receive the 1973 Teacher of the Year Award. Roger went back to school to earn his master’s in divinity from Wartburg College. He then served as a Methodist minister for six years, before converting to Catholicism, where he continued his ministry. He is the author of 10 prayer books, and enjoyed in-home visits, as well as ministering to jail inmates. Roger was known as a World War II historian and could talk to anyone. He enjoyed snowmobiling, playing tennis, golfing, and any kind of music. Roger is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; their children, Kelli (Patrick) Watson, of Minnesota, and Kami (Bryan Hansen) King, of Virginia; four grandchildren, Hannah (Matthew) Lindemer, of Minnesota, Corinne Watson, of Minnesota, Ziana Hansen-King, of Virginia, Zaida Hansen-King, of Virginia; and one great-granddaughter, Alice; along with other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by a son, Kevin King; his parents, Harry King and Verna Krey; his foster parents, Richard and Juanita Striech, stepfather, Philip Krey; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Eugene and Edith Maas; and two siblings, Robert King and Robin “Terry” King. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano, with the Rev. Scott Valentyn and the Rev. John Girotti officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Leopolis. Visitation was held at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. and again at the church on Friday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. A rosary service was held on Thursday, at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. www.swedbergfuneralhome.com