ABERDEEN — Doug Rogers, 91, of Aberdeen passed away Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen. 
Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 5, at North Highland United Methodist Church in Aberdeen with
Rev. Lou Whitmer officiating. Inurnment will be in Black Hills National Cemetery at Sturgis. There will be a time of sharing Friday at 7 p.m. with visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Doug Rogers and his identical twin brother, Don, were born on a farm west of Warner, July 27, 1927. George and Alma (Ristau) Rogers raised their boys, Dick, Wayne, Doug, and Don in several homes in Brown County. George and the boys were talented mechanics. Doug used this skill throughout his life - while in the Army, during his career in the farm equipment industry, and when repairing all the things six kids managed to ding, dent, crash or mangle! In retirement, his skill and imagination veered to toy tractors and trucks.
Upon graduation from Aberdeen Central High School, Doug and Don enlisted in the United States Army. They completed their training at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. They served in Germany from 1945 to 1948. Doug was a 67-year member of the Rieck-Morgan American Legion No. 137 in Warner.
Doug met Joyce Rieck at a dance. They were married June 3, 1951. While on their honeymoon in the Black Hills, they dreamed of returning and building a home there. Doug and Joyce celebrated 64 years together by raising their family, traveling, boating, camping, playing games and remodeling their homes.
Doug started trucking for his uncle, Ralph Rogers, driving loads of cattle to Sioux City, Iowa when he was 14 years old. He worked for Minneapolis Moline from 1949 to 1971. He became the company’s first million-dollar salesman in 1968. He farmed near Warner and retired from Lilliston Company in 1984. Doug played with tractors – full and toy sized – his whole life. His “playing” was featured in articles in Toy Trucker and Toy Farmer magazines. His custom toys are scattered far and wide.
The family moved frequently over the years. They started out in Aberdeen, then moved to Wayzata, Minn. and back to South Dakota to Gettysburg and Warner. In their retirement, Doug and Joyce fulfilled their dreams. They moved to and built a home in the Blacks Hills. As their siblings aged, they completed the circle by moving back to Aberdeen to be closer to family.
Doug and Joyce left a legacy of six children, Neil (Janet), Pam (Paul) Helling, Paula (Scott) Hier, Chris (Pam), Matt (Penny) and Melanie. Countless batches of biscuits and gravy and games of cards and dice were shared with 14 grandchildren and six stepgrandchildren, Aaron, Kati, Jenny, Abby, Sam, Adam, Garret, Michelle, Claude, Sara, Shane, Tyson, J.D., Kari, Jory, Emily, Lee, Ali and Adam and 27 and counting great-grandchildren. Along with, “almost” sons, Donnie Vetch and Curtis Schmuck.
Doug was reunited with his wife; grandson, Derek; brothers and parents on January 1, 2019.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Rieck-Morgan American Legion Post No. 137 of Warner.
Carlsen Funeral Home and Crematory of Aberdeen has been entrusted with arrangements. 
Visit www.carlsenfh.com
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