Roger Eugene Steinwart

Roger Eugene Steinwart, 72, of Ogallala, Nebraska, passed away October 7, 2026, at Aurora, Colorado.

Roger was born October 12, 1953, in Ogallala, Nebraska, to Robert and Wanda J. (Robinette) Steinwart. After his father died of cancer in the late 1960s, Roger was raised in Ogallala by his mother and stepfather, David Mercer. He still holds the Ogallala Middle School record for the 100-yard dash. The title is his for good, since the event was later changed to meters. Roger earned some college credit and worked the family farm before moving to Kearney, where he met his lady love, Janet Hurless. On June 11, 1977, Roger and Janet were married in Ainsworth, Nebraska, and they were blessed with two daughters, Valerie and Julie.

Farming was Roger's true passion. Over the years he worked the land for Ron Kalkowski, Tom Hansmeier, Steve Hansmeier, and Scott Hansmeier. Starting in the early 1990s, he also spent about ten years with Schwan's, where he drove routes, managed products, and worked warehouse nights. He often farmed by day and went to Schwan's at night. Roger took great pride in his garden and lawn. He loved hunting, fishing, golfing, camping, and boating, and out on the water he did his best to toss his girls from the torpedo tube. He was a devoted Nebraska Cornhusker and Chicago Cubs fan, loved westerns and the series Yellowstone, and listened to 70s and 80s rock, including Chicago, Lionel Richie, and Phil Collins, along with country music. Roger knew everyone he met. His softest spot was for his dogs and granddogs: Max, Ace, Tucker, Brody, Finn, and Bailey. He insisted he didn't want any more dogs, but he was often caught sneaking them ham sandwiches and Cheetos, and he was rarely seen without one nearby.

Roger was preceded in death by his mother, Wanda; his father, Robert; his stepfather, David Mercer; his sister, Janice; his brother, Clinton; his grandparents, Loren and Alma Robinette and Frank and Bessie Steinwart; his in-laws, Jim and Shirley Hurless; his brother-in-law, Mike O'Hara; and several beloved dogs.

He is survived by his wife, Janet; his daughters, Valerie Steinwart of Grand Island, Nebraska, and her dog, Max, and Julie Steinwart of Omaha, Nebraska, and her dogs, Ace and Tucker; his brother, Rodney (LuAnn) Steinwart of Kearney, Nebraska; his sister, Christy O'Hara of Windsor, Colorado; his sisters-in-law, Joyce Hurless of Omaha, Nebraska and Nancy (Pat) Fontaine of Holton, Kansas; his brother-in-law, Richard (Deb) Hurless of Oakland, Nebraska; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held Friday, October 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at New Hope Church in Ogallala, with Chaplain Robin Storer officiating. Inurnment will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in Roger's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.