Roger Frank Race

Roger Frank Race of Cedar Grove passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, July 23, 2024. He was 81 years old.

Roger was born on Sept. 4, 1943, in Port Washington, the son of Miland “Butch” and Lorraine (nee Koch) Race.

He attended local schools and graduated from Port Washington High School in 1961.

  After graduation, Roger joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served as an air policeman from 1961 to 1963 while stationed at Bitburg Air Force Base in Germany.

Shortly after being honorably discharged, he met Catherine Thomes, and they married on Nov. 5, 1966, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Lake Church in Belgium, Wis.

After a short time in Milwaukee, they settled in Cedarburg and started their family. They moved to Grafton in 1976 and then to Cedar Grove in 2020.

  The two things Roger enjoyed most in life were stock car racing and collecting a wide array of NASCAR, John Wayne and Donald Duck memorabilia.

He was also very proud to have been a veteran and was rarely seen without one of his Air Force or “36th Apron” hats.

  Roger is survived by his sons Thomas (Amanda Oszuscik) and Jon (Kelly Berres); daughter-in-law Paula Race-Mantel (Dean Mantel); grandchildren Kelsey (Noah Wilterdink), Tanner, Mandilynn (Joey Oelhafen), Maxwell (Maren Horner), Luke (Emily Jones), Cody, Makenna (Jack Samse), Nolan, Addison, Owen, Seth and Jacob; and great-grandchild Everly (with two more on the way).

He is further survived by brother Dennis (Ann Czisny), sister Patsy (Gary) Depies, nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, wife Cathy, son Charles and grandchild Chase.

  A celebration gathering of Roger’s life was held Monday, July 29, 2024, at Eernisse Funeral Home in Belgium, 171 N. Royal Ave., followed by full military honors at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Lake Church, where he was laid to rest next to his wife Catherine.

Eernisse Funeral Home of Belgium assisted the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.