Roger Mahnke

Roger D. Mahnke, age 93, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2026 at Prairie Vista Village in Altoona, Iowa.

He was born on November 22, 1932 in Kingsley, Iowa on his grandparents’ farm to Lloyd and Lola Mahnke. He graduated from Grand Meadows High School in Washta, Iowa in 1950. He then attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa where he earned his BA degree. Roger met his wife Helen (Andrews) at Buena Vista University, and they were married at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. They enjoyed 64 years together before Helen’s passing in 2019. After college Roger then enlisted in the United States Army and served for two years. He competed in National Rifle matches across the country.

Roger continued his education receiving a MA from the University of Iowa and a Specialist degree from Iowa State. He had a professional career of 36 years in the field of education, with the last 28 as an administrator with the Southeast Polk School District.

Roger will be remembered for his warm sense of humor and his numerous acts of volunteering. He served 20 years on the Selective Service Board. Special recognitions include Heroes of the Heartland, Southeast Polk Wall of Honor, Altoona Citizen of the Year, Lions Warren Coleman and Melvin Jones awards. Roger became involved in the Southeast Polk Scholarship program in 1982 and later joined Dollars for Scholars where he served as chairperson for sixteen years. He was very active in the Altoona Lions where he served as treasurer for a number of years. He was “Mr. Spin Art” when it came to taking care of the Lions Spin Art Booth at the Iowa State Fair and working at other local events.

Roger had a variety of activities that he loved doing; fishing, camping, golfing, playing cards, doing jigsaw puzzles, building miniature doll houses and cedar chests, gardening, and spending time with many friends. He loved being around people and sharing a story or two! In his younger years he coached and refereed basketball. Spending time with his grandchildren and great grand-children was his greatest joy!

Roger is survived by daughters Susan Powell of Wichita, Kansas and Cheryl Cardin of Ankeny and son Steve Mahnke of Altoona. He was very blessed with three grandchildren and their families; Steven Mahnke, his wife Amanda and their daughters Madelyn and Avah of Des Moines, Nathan Cardin, his wife Melissa, their
twin daughters Emmeline and Lola, and Hattie of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Erica Pearson, her husband Calvin, and their boys Henry and Ben of Wichita, Kansas. Other survivors are his sister Judy Franzen (Bob) of Ankeny, his brother Danny (Teresa) of Kansas City, Missouri, sister in laws Kathy of Weslaco, Texas and Jan of Sioux City plus many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Helen, parents, sister Beverly Soden, brothers Gary and Greg, brother in law Russ Soden, and son in law Richard Powell.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family to be donated to Southeast Polk Dollars for Scholars. Condolences for Roger may be sent to the family of Roger Mahnke at Prairie Vista Village 2785 1 St Ave. S. Altoona, Iowa 50009.

Roger’s family will be forever thankful for the care he received and friendships that he developed at Prairie Vista Village for the past 12 years.

Family will greet friends at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 4th Street S.W. in Altoona on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Memorial service will be held at Altoona Christian Church, 2890 1st Avenue S in Altoona on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

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