Ivan A. Rogers
November 23, 2016
Ivan A. Rogers, 87, of Urbandale, IA, passed away at home peacefully in his sleep Wednesday, November 23, 2016. He was born in Des Moines, IA, July 2, 1929, the son of Ivan J. and Gretchen (Byars) Rogers (Folsom). He attended Des Moines public schools, served in the U. S. Army and graduated from Open Bible Institute in 1952. Ivan and his wife of 67 years, Elsie M. (Jones) Rogers were married in 1949. He is survived by Elsie; their four children, Steven (Sally), David (Dayna), Gregg, and Donna (Randall) Norris; 9 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Ivan was ordained for Christian ministry in 1953 and was the pastor of churches in Clive, Des Moines, Clarinda, and Waterloo, Iowa. In 1968 he was appointed to be the World Evangelism Coordinator for the Open Bible Churches denomination. Later, he became the administrator of Valley View Village, a retirement and nursing community in Des Moines. During this time he completed courses in Gerontology and Administration at the University of Iowa and received certification in the field.
In 1973, he was elected to serve as the regional superintendent of an 8 state region of churches, a position he held until his retirement in 1994. Concurrently he also served as the president of Open Bible College (’73 – ’78). Ivan served many other offices, boards and ministries including: President of Iowa Association of Evangelicals, Chairman of Christian Service Foundation and founder and president of Good Report Ministries in which he was active until his death. Ivan was respected in the field of Jewish-Christian relations and was an emeritus member of the executive committee of the National Christian Leadership Conference for Israel. In recent years he also served as Chaplain to three different retirement communities and pastor at Cory Grove Community Church. In his retirement, Ivan authored 3 books and was very active on social media with more than 2000 friends from all over the world who followed his Bible teaching posts.
Ivan was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ernie and Donald; sister, Norma Jean; 2 infant grandchildren, Jason and Anthony; and daughter-in-law, JoDee (wife of son, Gregg).
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines and visitation on Tuesday, November 29 from 4 to 7 pm also at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be given to Hope Ministries, P.O. Box 862, Des Moines, IA 50304. Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Bill Niebuhr
12/01/2016
Dear Elsie and all. May the Holy Spirit comfort you at this time of Ivan's passing. I'm grateful for Ivan's influence on me at Open Bible College, as a Central Region minister, and his blessing on me with the laying on of hands at my ordination. What a wonderful person.
Peace in Christ.
Teri Beyer
11/30/2016
Elsie, Steve, David and all the Rogers family, Jim and I are so very sorry for your loss. Ivan was an amazing man for whom I had great respect. May God wrap you all in His arms and comfort you as only He can during this time of loss. We grieve, but not like those without hope, for we know in due time, we will see Ivan again!
Steve Parker
11/29/2016
Very sorry for your loss.
Carroll & Margie Sanders
11/28/2016
Thank you to the Rogers family for supporting Ivan in all his years of ministry. We met him in 2013 at a conference in Des Moines and he confirmed some truths we were wrestling with by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation.
Thank you Jesus for his life.
Carroll & Margie Sanders
Bill and Linda Lardie
11/28/2016
Donna and Family:
Sending positive thoughts and prayers to you during this time.
Share your wonderful memories of Dad with others.
Sincerely,
Linda and Bill
Debbie Johnson
11/28/2016
Even though I didn't have the privilege of meeting Ivan, I know he was truly special because of his amazing daughter, Donna, who I have had the honor of knowing for over 20 years. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Aaron and Kelby Dodson
11/28/2016
Donna - Your sweet family is in our prayers during this difficult time. Love you!
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Aaron & Kelby Dodson
Tom and Sherry Moore
11/28/2016
Dear Elsie, Steve and Sally, Dave and Dayna, Gregg, Donna and Randy,
We wanted you all to know that we are sending love and prayers your way right now. We both know what it is like to lose our fathers. We are thankful that Bro. Rogers passed away quietly in his sleep. What a way to go! We are praying that God will comfort you all as only He can. Please know that we will continue to pray for you in the days and weeks ahead. We go back a long way with your family...back to the Waterloo days. Elsie, you and Bro. Rogers came to encourage us as young pastors when we took our first church in Knoxville, Iowa. Memories are a gift from God! Love and Hugs. Tom and Sherry
Terry and Leslee Meek
11/27/2016
Ivan Rogers was a great believer in people. He was instrumental in my ordination within Open Bible Churches and becoming an Army Chaplain. As coincidence (providence) would have he worked with my Father at Solar's Aircraft in the 1950's when it was located on Bell Avenue.
Sandra Venerable (Rounds)
11/25/2016
My Dear Elsie and Family, please accept my condolences on Ivan's passing. The world has truly lost a wonderful human being who will be missed greatly. May your memories sustain you as you begin your grieving process. Please...take good care.
Linda Burns-Fuller
11/25/2016
Dear Gregg and Family: Our deepest condolences on the loss of your father. He sounds like an amazing man of many accomplishments. You know that we know just how hard it is to lose a father. Our hearts go out to you. Linda Burns-Fuller & Doug Fuller