In Memory of Roger Dean Spotts

Roger Spotts, age 86, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the Golden Horizons Assisted Living of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 21, 2026, at the Ida Grove Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Rev. Luann Benge will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa, with Military Rites conducted by the McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa.  

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Roger Dean Spotts was born on April 16, 1940, in Ida Grove, Iowa. He was one of eleven children born to Ella M. (Gempler) and Ralph E. Spotts, Sr. Roger grew up in Ida Grove and received his education from Ida Grove High School graduating with the class of 1958.

Following high school, Roger attended barber school. After completing his training, he returned home to Ida Grove. In the early 1960s, he opened Spotts Barber Shop, where he spent his days cutting hair while continuing to help on the family farm after hours. After nearly a decade as a barber, Roger traded his clippers for life on the farm, transitioning into farming full time. 

On April 28, 1962, Roger was united in marriage to Donna Ardelle West at the Ida Grove Methodist Church in Ida Grove. The couple was blessed with two children: Jackie and Steve. During this chapter of his life, Roger also proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army National Guard. 

Roger was a lifelong member of the Ida Grove Methodist Church and remained actively involved in his community throughout his life. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), served on the Board of Directors for First State Bank, and was a former Ida County Supervisor.

Roger and Ardelle shared many interests and treasured the time they spent together. For more than 50 years, they enjoyed participating in various card clubs, creating many lasting friendships along the way. They also took great pride in tending to their large garden and canning their homegrown produce. In their retirement, the couple traveled to all 50 states as well as internationally. For many years they enjoyed wintering in Kerrville and Paris, Texas. In the summer, they enjoyed spending time on Lost Island Lake in Ruthven, Iowa, as well as fishing at the family farm pond.

Coming from large families, Roger and Ardelle naturally made their home a gathering place for family and friends. They loved entertaining and welcoming others into their home, where countless memories were made over the years. Family was at the heart of Roger’s life. He took tremendous pride in being a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, but the title he cherished most was simply “Papa.” Roger’s love for his family and the memories they shared will remain a lasting part of his legacy. 

Left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 64 years, Ardelle Spotts of Ida Grove, IA; daughter Jackie (Ray) Netherton of Ida Grove, IA; son Steve (Kristie) Spotts of Sac City, IA; grandchildren Brianne (Michael) Ritchie, Bryce (Tiara Paul) Davis, Blake (Sadie) Netherton, Stephanie (Michael) Ozinga, and Ryan (Blair) Spotts; 11 great-grandchildren with 1 on the way: Everly, Sawyer, and Lila Ritchie, Londyn and Tatum Davis, Tinsley and Talon Paul, Jaelynn and Breckynn Ozinga, Anna and Noah Spotts; siblings Luella Ryan, Richard (Marilyn) Spotts, Russell (Buddie) Spotts, Linda (Roger) Hanson, and Lorraine (Marc) Johnson; sister-in-law Sharon Spotts; brother-in-law Ron Posey; nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Ella and Ralph Spotts, Sr.; in-laws Russell and Hilda West; siblings Robert (Kathryn) Spotts, Ralph (Joan) Spotts, Jr., Randall Spotts, Ronald Spotts, and Lorna Posey.