Visitation Wednesday, January 14, 2008 After 3:00 PM
Prayer Service 7:00 PM Sacred Heart Church Manning, Iowa
Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, January 15, 2009, 11:00 AM
Sacred Heart Church, Manning, Iowa
Reverend Father Andrew Hoffman, Celebrant
Reverend Father Robert Gralapp, Concelebrant
Lectors: Doug Vollstedt, Steve Vollstedt
Mass Servers: Toni Boyle, McKaylie Croghan
Gift Bearers: Blackberry's Grandchildren
Music "On Eagles Wings" "You Are Mine" "Because He Lives" "How Great Thou Art"
Laurie Stein and Maureen Halbur, Soloists
Sacred Heart Choir Pat Heithoff, Accompanist
Casket Bearers - Sons: Kevin Vollstedt, Brad Vollstedt, Dan Vollstedt, Doug Vollstedt, Steve Vollstedt, Pat Vollstedt
Honorary Casket Bearers - Grandchildren: Jacob, Ryan, and Isaac Vollstedt; Kristen, Jared, and Cailin Vollstedt; Taylor, Nolan and Jace Vollstedt; Olivia Bachman Vollstedt

Interment with Military Honors
Sacred Heart Cemetery, Manning, Iowa
American Legion Emil Ewoldt Post 22 & Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3517

Roger Lee "Blackberry," son of Hugo and Evelyn (Schumann) Vollstedt, was born July 16, 1934, at Carroll, Iowa. He grew up in Manning and attended Manning schools, graduating with the Class of 1953. He was active in all sports while in school and continued playing baseball and fast pitch softball for various area teams as a young man. At the age of 12 years, Blackberry had started working at Thrifty Food Market, continuing there after graduation. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1957.

On July 12, 1958, Blackberry was united in marriage with Rose Mary "Rosie" Spieker at Sacred Heart Church in Manning. They made their home in Manning where he returned after his honorable discharge from the Army. Blackberry and Rosie were the parents of six sons. Blackberry worked as a butcher for Bud Stahl at Thrifty Food Market, eventually buying the business with his partners Daryl Genzen, Curt Long and Ronnie Hiatt. After nearly 50 years, he retired in June of 1997.

Blackberry was baptized and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in Manning and later in life took instruction and became a member of Sacred Heart Parish where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He refereed basketball and football and was statistician for Manning Bulldog Football for many years. After he quit refereeing and playing sports, he took up golf and encouraged all his sons to learn the game. He served on the board at the Manning-Manilla Golf Course for a number of terms and enjoyed the Monday Senior Golf League. Blackberry was a loyal fan of the Manning Bulldogs, IKM-Manning Wolves, Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs. In his later years he relished time with his morning card playing buddies at Cliff's. Above all, Blackberry cherished his family, especially his grandchildren.

On Monday, January 12, 2009, Blackberry died suddenly and unexpectedly in front of his home in Manning while moving snow. He was 74 years, 5 months and 27 days of age.

Preceding him in death are his parents; brother Dean Vollstedt and father-in-law Lawrence Spieker.

He is survived by his wife Rosie Vollstedt of Manning; six sons: Kevin Vollstedt (Amy) of Urbandale; Bradley Vollstedt of Manning; Daniel "Boney" Vollstedt (Michelle) of Des Moines; Douglas Vollstedt and (Sandy) of Iowa City; Steven Vollstedt (Janell) of Manilla; and Patrick "Spanky" Vollstedt (Kimberly) of Carroll; ten grandchildren; two sisters Carol Hagedorn (Robert) of Manning and Barb Horky (Larry) of Sioux City; sister-in-law Phyllis Vollstedt of Manning; mother-in-law Viola Spieker of Manning; other in-laws: Duane Spieker of Kansas City, KS; Jerry Spieker (Sue) of Norwalk; Marilyn Popp (Richard) of Bradenton, FL; Carol Kral (Joe) of Vail; Donna Mohr (Larry) of Mesa, AZ; LaVern 'Butch' Spieker (Jackie) of Renton, WA; Paul Spieker (Barbara) of Larkspur, CO; Karen Wegner (Leroy) of Warrensburg, MO; Larry Spieker (Becky) of Morehead, MN; and Randy Spieker (Melinda) of Tualatin, OR; many other relatives and friends.