Charles Z Rodgers, 75

Charles Z Rodgers, 75, of Ogden, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System in Des Moines. Chuck was born in Pilot Mound, Iowa, on April 12, 1946, to Dan and Mildred Rodgers. He graduated from Grand Community High School in 1964 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. His career in the Navy eventually took him to Kingsville, Texas, where he met his life’s love, Elia Perez. The two were married in McAllen, Texas, on August 5, 1972. The Navy moved the young couple to several duty stations across the nation over the next ten years, and along the way, two sons would join them. Following Chuck’s retirement from the Navy, the family settled in Ogden, Iowa, where Chuck worked for many years with Rodgers Plumbing and Heating and then the U.S. Postal Service as a rural carrier in Madrid, Iowa.

Chuck was a dependable, honest, and loving man who was always willing to lend a hand. He loved spending time outdoors, playing cards, and reading. Most of all, he loved spending time with family. Chuck will be remembered for being there right when you needed him, his willingness to “ride along” to the casino on a whim, hunting and pushing deer at the annual deer camp (in recent years, the latter often with grandkids in tow), teaching his grandson how to shoot a pistol, his “let’s try it and see” approach to roasting nuts and perfecting the pineapple upside down cake, treats for the Mary Greely 5th floor nurses’ station, and his ability to recount the details of stories past and present – leaving behind a wealth of wisdom for future generations. The grandkids will remember him best for their time spent playing Acey Deucey and fishing with him, deer camp weekends with overnights at Papa’s, his angel food cakes with extra sweet icing, homemade ice cream, and his sideline cheers, “All riiiight!”

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents Thomas Dan and Mildred Burdella Rodgers, and his wife of 46 years, Elia. He leaves behind his siblings, Thomas (Gail) Rodgers of Ogden and Barbara (William) Mondt of Bradbury, CA, their extended families, and his very special ornery bunch: two sons, Charles M. (Lisa) of Nevada, Iowa, and Eric T. (Lindsey) of Underwood, Iowa, and five grandchildren: Manuel (14), Parker (12), Eliana (10), Greta (9), and Evan (6).

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 6, 2021, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ogden. Father Tim Johnson will officiate. Burial will follow at Pilot Mound Cemetery, with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the Boone Veteran’s Council. A visitation will be held at the church on Thursday, August 5, 2021, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of memorial contributions, please make a donation in Dad’s memory to a cause important to you, as this is what Dad would have wanted.