Roger R. Unvert, 81, of rural Sterling, died Friday afternoon, November 15, 2024 at his home. He was born on July 29, 1943 in Beatrice to Walter and Ruth (Fischer) Unvert.  Roger graduated from Adams High School in 1960.  On March 15, 1964 he married Cheryl Kelle at      St. John Lutheran Church of Sterling. Roger was a lifelong farmer of the original homestead and recently awarded the Aksarben Nebraska Heritage Farm Award.  He was a diligent steward of the land and appreciated the beauty of a straight row and the view from the deck.  He also liked to restore tractors.  He was a member of Hopewell United Methodist Church and served as church treasurer, was on the administrative council, church trustee, and Sunday School Superintendent.  He was also on the executive board for the Sterling Rural Fire Department.  Roger was the former president of the Granite Hill (Hopewell) Cemetery Board.  He enjoyed his children’s and grandchildren’s events and activities and was an avid baseball fan, Go Royals!  He also enjoyed photography and was a camera afficionado and liked music, especially Willie’s Roadhouse, jazz, and live music.  

     Survivors include his wife, Cheryl Unvert; children, Mary Beth Rathe, Mark (Suzanne) Unvert, Melissa (Mark) Kocour, Marcy (Jeffrey) VanEngen, and Megan (Steven) Wiese; grandchildren, Benjamin, Emma, Joseph and Lydia Rathe, Kellen, Katelyn (Austin) and Kaleb Unvert, Lauren (Bradley), Jack, Grant, and Hannah Kocour, Gerrit VanEngen and fiancé, Meghan, Gabriel VanEngen and wife, Rachel, and Grace VanEngen, Jesse and Ruby Hindera, Jase Wiese, Brendan Folk, and “Jimmy” Lin Ching-Huang; brother, Fred (Julie) Unvert; sisters, Barbara Lott and Kathleen (Charles) Zuber; business partner and friend, Mike Buss; brother-in-law, Richard Kelle; sisters-in-law, Betty (John) Kirby and Deb (Ralph)  Kuwamoto; many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ruth Unvert; parents-in-law, Wilke and Leona Kelle; brother-in-law, Thomas Lott; sister-in-law, Kris Kelle; nephew, David Kelle.

     Celebration of Life services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Sterling Community Center in Sterling with Rev. MaKenna Riunga officiating. Burial will be prior to the service at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday at the Granite Hill (Hopewell) Cemetery of rural Sterling.  The body will lie in state and the family will greet friends on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Hopewell United Methodist Church of rural Sterling from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the family’s choice.    www.foxfuneralhome.net.   Arrangements entrusted to Zink-Fox Funeral Home of Sterling.