Roger M. Timko 

July 20, 1949 - March 6, 2024

Roger Michael Timko passed away at home on March 6, 2024, from pancreatic cancer. Before he died, he told everyone, “I had 74+ good years and a couple bad bad months.”

Funeral services will take place Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake, Iowa. Burial will be at a later date in the St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 5-7:00 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in STORM LAKE. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Roger began his 74+ years on July 20, 1949, when he was born to Michael and Irene (Pedemont) Timko in Berlin, Connecticut. He stayed on the east coast until he came to Iowa to attend college in LeMars. Roger received a B.A. with a major in English and a minor in Sociology from Westmar College where he also played football. Roger was very proud of the fact that he was the first Timko to have achieved a four-year degree. His intent was to become a teacher; however, God had a different path.

Upon his graduation from college in 1972, Roger became a Special Agent with the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE), a division within the Iowa Department of Public Safety. He worked undercover from 1972-1985. His physical appearance then was quite different from the one he sported later in life! He used various names but the one that was most dear to his Colts’ heart was Bert Jones. (Bert Jones was a quarterback for the Colts for those of you who do not know this.) Roger recalls this time in his career as “exciting”, but he also admitted it took a toll on him emotionally.

In 1986, Roger transferred to the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Here he investigated homicides and felonies which included Felony Sexual assaults, Racketeering, Armed Robbery, Fraud and Public Corruption. It was the investigation of the death of a toddler at the hands of the toddler’s drunk driving father that stayed with him the most. This also led to Roger becoming somewhat of teetotaler – drinking only for toasts at his children’s weddings and other rare but special occasions.

Roger remained with the DCI until 1994 when he returned to DNE as a Drug Diversion investigator. This assignment dealt with the investigation of Pharmaceuticals. Roger also had a one-year special assignment investigating Pari-mutual gambling.

Roger retired in 2004. During his career in law enforcement, he was most proud of the fact that he made 1100 felony arrests. He enjoyed law enforcement immensely and would say he never regretted becoming a law enforcement officer instead of a teacher.

From 2015 to 2017, Roger worked as a Victim Advocate for victims of felony crimes through the Family Crisis Center. The agency, known as WISH (Western Iowa Survivors of Homicide), assisted victim of homicide and other violent crimes to navigate the criminal justice system and how to receive victim services. This was the “other side” of law enforcement and Roger loved it.

Roger did put his teaching degree to use throughout his 74+ good years. He taught at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy for over 25 years. He taught at Western Iowa Tech as an adjunct professor in criminology. Roger was engaged in the Iowa Attorney General Mandatory Training Assistance program which annually certified police officers for the State of Iowa. Roger was asked to conduct many trainings around the state and enjoyed speaking at various state and local agencies.

His profession was not the only thing that gave Roger joy in his 74+ years, and, ironically, it was his profession that led him to his wife of 32 years, Mary. Roger was working on a search warrant for the Johnson County Attorney’s office in Iowa City. Mary was an assistant county attorney at the time. She thought he was handsome so she asked the attorney originally working on the search warrant if she could help Roger with it. That led to a relationship and marriage that lasted over 35 years.

Mary had 2 sons when she and Roger were married, Benjamin and Joseph McCollum. He took his role as stepfather to these two young boys very seriously. Roger never saw Ben and Joey as anything other than his sons. He would often say, “My heart can’t tell the difference between a stepson and a biological son.” He loved them with a genuine love of a father for his sons and helped guide them through life’s many journeys. He always referred to them as his “sons.”

In 1994, Mary and Roger had a daughter, Mary Rose. She was clearly the apple of his eye. Whatever she wanted, it seemed her father would get her, even if it meant an 11th hour enrollment at Buena Vista University or finding her a car that wasn’t red.

Roger listed seeing Ben, Joey, and Mary Rose graduate from college as three of his very proudest moments.

Some of Roger’s greatest memories were family vacations. No matter where they travelled, there was always a sporting event associated with that trip. Whether it was a baseball field at the inaugural season of the Miami Marlins, tickets to the Milwaukee Bucs or Minnesota Timberwolves games, seats for the Vikings, Chiefs, or Hawkeyes, every vacation had a sporting element to it. Indianapolis did triple duty – the Colts game, a Pacers game and a visit to the Indy 500 track and museum. A trip out to visit relatives in Connecticut allowed for a Hartford Whalers hockey game and, dare I mention, a Patriots game. If there was a football training camp close by, we were there. Even Mary Rose got to go observe a Chiefs training camp when she was in a stroller and “met” Marty Schottenheimer. Roger just shook his head when Mary swooned over seeing Marcus Allen.

The trip to Jamaica in 2001 did not involve an organized sporting event but was eventful nonetheless. Roger thought it was a good idea to grant permission to Joey and Ben, 17 and 20 years old respectively, to go, unaccompanied by anyone, to the SumFest Concert which was held off the resort grounds and in another town on the island. That year featured Snoop Dogg, Alicia Keys and Ja Rule among others. It was at this concert that Snoopy Dogg, Ja Rule and another performer were arrested for swearing on stage. Mary still scratches her head and wonders how she let that happen.

With the entry of his beloved and “can do no wrong” daughters-in-law, Michelle and Emily, and son-in-law, Bobby Ivey, the whole family began to take family vacations to Branson. There were no sporting events here, but the activities in which we engaged were much tamer that Jamaica. These vacations were something that Roger looked forward to. It was his duty to take Joey and buy the best steaks for steak night. There were many shows to attend. He “met” the Blues Brothers which was highlight for him. He really enjoyed the guys’ golfing day and just hanging out at the resort.

Roger loved all things sports. Anyone who ever drove by our house when the garage door was open or encountered Roger out and about knows that Roger loved the Indianapolis/Baltimore Colts. He loved the Colts since he was a young boy living in Connecticut and Johnny Unitas was the Colts quarterback. One of his favorite memories was being able to meet Dallas Clark in person. And one of his funniest tales was of Mary Rose pointing to a picture of Roger with a young man and commenting that she was assisting in redecorating “that man’s house.” She had no idea “that man” was Dallas Clark with her dad in the picture until Bobby told her.

Roger was also a diehard Yankee’s fan. If you look closely in the garage, you will see some Yankee memorabilia strewn therein. On “jersey day” on one of the family vacations in Branson, Roger, Mary and granddaughter, Grace, sported Yankee Jerseys. Roger loved that.

The Colts were not Roger’s only tie to Indianapolis. He attended the Indy 500 every year for over 50 years with one break. He had the same 2 seats every year and would invite family and friends to go along. It was at the Indy 500 that Roger asked Mary to marry him. When the announcer said, “Drivers start your engines,” Roger proposed to Mary and then gave a thumbs up to his friends across the way when she said yes.

Roger loved golfing. If the weather were decent, in other words, very little snow on the ground, he would be golfing. He would often golf alone so he could skip around to various holes. He truly enjoyed the camaraderie of his golf cronies with whom he played in what he affectionately called “the geezer league.”. He got 3 holes-in-one during the last five years – all witnessed. But his favorite golf companion around Storm Lake was Joey – wherever they ended up playing. Roger made the annual trip to Mozingo in Maryville, Missouri for the NWMSU men’s basketball fundraiser, the annual police officer’s golf tournament in Waverly, Iowa, and the annual Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Department tournament.

One of Roger’s most passionate pastimes was going for a motorcycle ride on nice days. He had BMWs and, recently, purchased a Honda Gold Wing. You would never see him on cycle without a helmet, and one of those helmets even had a Colts emblem on it. He went motorcycling throughout the United States and would love to describe the scenery he saw. Roger went to Sturgis quite a few times and always brought back a patch that read “I rode mine all the way.”

Roger had a soft spot for animals. He had many dogs in his lifetime as well. He had a drug dog, “Mike” that he took in after Mike could no longer perform his duties. Although neither he nor Mary were particularly “cat” people, they rescued their share of them throughout the years. It was a rare thing if Roger actually ever called a dog or cat by their “given” name – often resorting to calling them a name that was some version of their color. As Roger was dying, his cat “Little Red” (who is no longer little) stood sentinel. Red rarely left the room in which Roger was sleeping and became quite upset with anyone who tried to move Red off of his chair next to Roger.

Roger so proud of all of his children. He relished in telling people about Ben’s success in coaching at NWMSU. He was particularly bummed that one of the D2 National Championships was cancelled due to Covid as he was sure Ben would have won a National Championship – again.

Roger was also proud to tell people that Joey is the State Farm agent in Sac City. (Believe it or not, while at the hospital for his last time, Roger was drumming up business for Joey . He told a nurse’s aide who daughter was turning driver’s age that she needed to check with Joey about car insurance.)

His baby girl, Mary Rose, could pretty much do anything she wanted – work as an interior decorator or be a stay-at-home mom. He was proud of her Sacrifice of Praise podcast and the faith that she spreads through this medium.

One of Roger’s most enduring qualities was his generosity. His mailbox was full of solicitations from animal charities to which he had contributed. One of his last full sentences was a directive to Mary to donate to the Shriner’s hospital and St. Jude’s Hospital for children. Roger offered up his suffering at the end of his life for those children.

Friends and family were also on the receiving end of his generosity. Just let it be known to Roger any sporting team you liked, and he would accommodate you along the way with a jersey, a plaque, a signed photo, or other memorabilia from that team. He loved doing that. Additionally, when family members and various friends were in need, he did not hesitate to send some needed cash and would tell Mary to send some to her family and friends in need.

But perhaps the highlight of Roger’s life was watching his children and grandchildren perform. He went to middle school, high school and college games and activities. He loved the fact that the Bearcats and Spoofhounds were streamed live and he could watch when he wasn’t there in person. Roger was proud to talk about Peyton and Tate’s athletic acumen at every sport possible to anyone who would listen. He marveled at Grace’s grace when dancing at dance competitions. Roger was there when “Coach Mac’s” Northwest Missouri State Bearcats won their 4 national titles. He sat through every Tornado football game, including the out of towners, in which Joey played.

Roger loved his 74+ years of life. He became more and more spiritual as his life went on. He prayed often for his family and for those less fortunate than he. He loved going to church and regretted any time he missed. In his last days, he would pick up his crucifix and look at it and shake his head “yes.”

I would say that Roger did, in fact, have 74+ good years. He made many friends throughout his lifetime. Amazingly, even when he had very little strength, he phoned many of them to ask them to be pallbearers at his funeral. Unfortunately, Roger wasn’t able call them all personally.

Although Roger was able to accomplish most of his goals in life, there was one goal that Roger will never be able to complete - to take Mary Bloom (Bloomie) and Augie to the ice cream store in Storm Lake “every day” after they move back to Storm Lake. I know for sure he would have accomplished that goal with or without Bobby and Mary’s permission. So, I guess it is up to Mary to make sure this happens.

Roger is survived by the love of life, his wife, Mary, of 31 years and 11 months. Roger and Mary shared many interests including a love of rock and roll music. Together they attended many concerts including the Eagles, the Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, Cher, Rod Stewart and Joe Cocker, among others. They waited in line in the rain at the Clay County Fair to see Foreigner only to have it be cancelled 15 minutes after it was set to start. Roger was so proud of the fact that Mary was a judge and would tell anyone he met that he was the one who encouraged her to take the judicial position in the Third Judicial District even though she had never lived there. He spent the last months of his life making sure that Mary would be taken care of after his death.

He is also survived by son, Benjamin McCollum and his wife, Michelle and their 3 children, Peyton, Tate and Grace of Maryville Missouri; by son, Joseph McCollum and his wife, Emily, of Sac City, Iowa; and daughter, Mary Rose Ivey and her husband, Robert, and their children, Mary Bloom (“Little Mary” to him) and Augustine Michael (Augie) of Fargo, North Dakota (soon to be Storm Lake); sister, Elaine McCarthy of Berlin, Ct. as well as sisters-in-law, Linda Boss, Judith Heller and her husband, Patrick, Laurie Quintero and brothers-in-law, Tom and Ed Benish, and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Roger was preceded in death by his mother and father, Irene and Michael Timko, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mary Dolores and Raymond Benish, brothers-in-law, Bill McCarthy and W. Andrew Boss and sister-in-law, Pam Benish as well as nephew, Adam Benish.

74+ years well lived indeed.