Roger I

Roger Allen Bickford I, 82, passed away Thursday, June 30, 2011 under the care of his loving family and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at the North Central Health Care Center.

He was born Sept.20, 1928 in Wausau to Stanley and Alma (Reuter) Bickford. Roger loved fishing and on Feb. 17th, 1951 he married the catch of his life, Geraldine Wilke. She survives, along with their 4 children. Roger II (Darlene) Bickford, Jay (Charlene) Bickford, Jamey (Jeff) Nimz and Derek (Elizabeth) Bickford. They have 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by all 9 of his siblings.

Roger served 4 years in the U.S. Navy. Upon returning home he met Gerry on the dance floor. They loved dancing to Big Band music. They also spent many good times fishing with their family at their vacation home on Lac Vieux Desert.

Roger was a printer at Wausau Papers in Brokaw for 20 years and at Marathon Press for 13 years before retiring in 1996. Roger was an elder in the Wausau North congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. He enjoyed sharing Bible truths with those whom he met. He will be sadly missed by his family and those who knew him.
A memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 7, 2011 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses (North 3rd Ave, Wausau). Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM on Thursday at the Kingdom Hall and last until the time of service.
Roger's family would like to extend a special word of thanks to the nurses and staff of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services and to North Central Health Care for their tender loving care of Roger and the family during the end of his life.