David (Dave) R. Rogers, 73

David ( Dave) R ay Rogers w as b orn o n October 8, 1951, to Ray and Dorothea (Wiese) Rogers, in Longmont, Colo. He passed peacefully f rom t his l ife a t h ome o n the f amily r anch n orthwest o f Purdum o n Sunday, May 11, 2025, at the age of 73.

He attended various elementary schools in the Longmont area. When he was 12, the family moved to his current home on the “Wiese” ranch in Purdum. He attended seventh grade at District 136, the Eatinger School. He attended eighth through 12th grade in Thedford. Dave was an outstanding student and athlete, participating in football, basketball, and track. After graduating as Valedictorian of the Class of 1970 from Thedford High School, he went to Doane College where he played football and was a thrower on the track team, graduating with a degree in Economics.

After graduation from Doane, Dave returned to work the family ranch in Purdum.

In A ugust 1 978, h e m et h is f uture w ife a t a d ance a t t he B laine County f air. On A ugust 2 , 1 980, a b oiling h ot day, D ave m arried Celeste M ary A therton a t S t. A ndrew’s C hurch i n B loomfield. T hey made their home first in Halsey, and later on the family ranch northwest of Purdum in a house Dave stripped down to the frame and completely rebuilt. They were blessed with two daughters, Megan Marie and Sarah Celeste.

Dave was an avid reader, enjoyed watching and playing sports (especially b aseball a nd g olf), a nd h ad an i nsatiable s weet t ooth. H e adored his children and grandchildren and possessed a dry sense of humor that only came out with those he knew best. He loved farming and ranching and some of his happiest times were setting tubes and checking cattle with his wife and daughters, along with raising and racing thoroughbred horses with his brother, Dan.

Dave is survived by his loving wife of nearly 45 years, Celeste (Atherton) R ogers; d aughters M egan ( Buster) S mith o f O maha; a nd Sarah (Charles) Kasson of Hallam; grandchildren Ruby Smith and Meryl, Angus, and Josie Kasson; twin brother Daniel; sister Diane McLeod; in-laws Bill and Jolene Fujan and Dorrance and Patty Atherton; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Dave was p receded in d eath b y h is p arents R ay a nd D orothea; h is brother, Richard; in-laws Eugene and LaVerne Atherton; brother-in-law, Gordon McLeod; and two much-wanted and loved miscarried babies.

A rosary will take place at St. Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church in Thedford on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 23rd at 10 a.m. in Halsey at the Sandhills Elementary School gymnasium with Father Matthew Nash officiating. Committal will be held at the Purdum Cemetery following the funeral, with fellowship and a meal to follow at the Halsey Community Building. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of AseraCare Hospice in O’Neill for providing such compassionate and loving care to Dave in his last months of life.