Obituary of Roger Henry Freitag

In Loving Memory

Roger Henry Freitag

 

Husband, father, grandfather, friend, musician, business owner, and Joliet Steelman.

Roger passed away peacefully at home after a long battle with cancer on March 5, 2022 with his wife and daughter by his side.

 

Born November 22, 1935 in Joliet, Illinois, Roger had a passion for music, playing the saxophone from a young age. He and his band mates played for President Eisenhower’s inauguration and he played professionally with the Tony Prince and Dale Hamilton dance bands. In high school, he enjoyed wrestling and made the junior varsity team as a freshman. He graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1954 and attended Joliet Junior College. He and his wife Linda, (née Owens) were married in 1955. They owned and operated the Alpine store in Joliet, the first drive-in convenience/grocery store in the area. They and their 3 children moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1969. Roger had a long career in sales and management, retiring from Beds Etc. furniture store in 2006.

 

He loved music, camping, reading, going to the movies, and time spent with family and friends enjoying BBQs, swimming, playing cards, and going out to dinner.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents William and Jeannette Freitag, his older brother Bill Freitag and younger sister Joylene Freitag. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Linda Freitag, son Wade (Cinda) Freitag, son Rodger (Chris) Freitag, and daughter Heidi Ackerley. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren: Alanna, William, Weston Freitag, and Hunter Ackerley, 4 step grandchildren: Kristin Beal, Ray (Jen) Burch, John (Theresa) Lewis, and Ashley Deifenbaugh, 3 great grandchildren: Jenna and Ethan Polston and Marissa Schmidt, and 9 step great grandchildren: Taylor, Reagan, Maddison and Harrison Beal, as well as Gabriel, Alexis and Michael Lewis, Brooklyn Burch, and Emma Davis.

 

We wish to thank the Amedysis Hospice staff for their great care and compassion for our loved one, as well as our friends and neighbors for their love and support. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

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