John Roskam

John Ray Roskam was born on March 13, 1939 in Cedar Falls, Iowa to Albert and Olive (Schneidermann) Roskam. At the age of 14, he trusted the Lord Jesus as his personal Savior. After graduating from Cedar Falls High School in 1957, he “pestered” the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company until they hired him. Starting as a lineman, he would work his way up to supervisor and later course developer over 29 years, moving to Waterloo, Bettendorf, Iowa City, and finally Des Moines.

He joined the US Navy, serving in the Reserves from 1961-1967, with two of those years in active duty.

In 1962 John joined a group from his church in attending a winter retreat in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. It was on a toboggan there that he met the love of his life, Ruth Faulkner. Although he had brought several girls in his car, he offered to drive Ruth home to Chicago, saying it was “only 200 miles out of his way”. After a long-distance courtship, they were married on November 27th, 1965. God blessed their marriage with four children: Roger (Lori), Jennifer (Vaughn Thomas), Ryan (Susie) and Jay; grandchildren, Jacob and Devon Roskam; Silas, Tori (Sam) Thoman, Arianna, and Simeon Thomas; and Curtis Guyer. On December 24, 2023 Carolina Thoman was welcomed as their first great-grandchild.

In 1987, John took early retirement but was never idle. He started driving a school bus for Johnston, hired on as a salesman at the new Best Buy, videotaped many events and weddings, gave tractor rides at the Machine Shed Restaurant, and he never stopped collecting and working on telephones. Later, John and Ruth enjoyed traveling and escaping the Iowa winters by heading south.

He is survived by his sister, Shirley Huebert of New Mexico, brother-in-law Dick (Arlene) Faulkner of Wisconsin, and many nieces and nephews.

He went to be with the Lord on the morning of July 14, 2024 after living with Parkinson’s for several years.

Family will greet friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, July 19, 2024 at Creekside Church, 2743 82nd Place, in Urbandale. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 20, 2024 at the church. A private interment will occur at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Parkinson’s Foundation in loving memory of John.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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