Roger Dean Hiser

Sept. 27, 1933 – Feb. 14, 2026

Our loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather Roger Dean Hiser, 92, passed peacefully on the morning of February 14, 2026, surrounded by family. After a life well lived, he entered the loving arms of his Savior and was reunited with his beloved wife, Janice.

Roger was born September 27, 1933, in Altamont, Missouri, to Fern Shrader. He and his older sister, Colleta, were raised by their grandparents, Pearl and Mae Hiser, on the family farm. Uncle Orval was also very influential in Roger’s life. 

Though life was modest, it was rich in lessons, resilience and responsibility. He often shared stories of his childhood adventures in Altamont and summer visits to Fort Collins and Estes Park that over time became cherished family lore, retold around tables and laughed over countless times. 

He graduated from Gallatin High School in 1951. Shortly after high school, Roger joined the United States Marine Corps, a decision that would shape much of his early adulthood. He served during the Korean War. Though he rarely spoke in detail about his experiences, there were moments when he offered glimpses into the horrific realities he witnessed. 

After active duty, he transferred to the Marine Reserves and followed a fellow Marine to Cedar City, Utah, where he attended the College of Southern Utah (now Southern Utah University). Roger often credited his time in Cedar City with helping him find clarity and straightening his head after the war. He drove a red sports car, worked at a diner, attended school full-time, participated in the drama club and was a founding participant in the Utah Shakespeare Festival, which is still going on today.

Roger later moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, to manage the cafeteria at Northern Arizona University. It was there he met the love of his life, Janice. They were married on August 15, 1964, in Winslow, Arizona, beginning a partnership that would span 60 devoted years.

Their life together was full and busy. They lived in Texas and Alabama, where their first four children were born, followed by a brief time in California. Eventually, they settled in Oregon, where nine more children joined the family. Yes, thirteen children in total. After twenty years in Oregon, Roger and Janice moved their family to Lovell in the summer of 1993, where Roger remained until his passing.

Roger loved adventure and the open road. Family vacations to the Oregon coast and throughout the western states created lasting memories. For many years, he maintained a pilot’s license, leasing planes and flying his family from Corvallis, Oregon, to Casper, Wyoming, to visit his mother and sister. His oldest son, Kevin, once enjoyed a solo flight with his dad. Roger decided to circle the family home and perform upside-down maneuvers in full view of Janice and the children below. Janice made her thoughts about that decision very clear upon Roger’s return.

Roger was a man of lessons, both spoken and lived. He often shared that he did not fully appreciate the sacrifices his grandparents made for him until it was too late to thank them. That realization shaped how he raised his own children. He taught gratitude, hard work, resilience and making the best of any situation. 

He believed in helping others and faithfully volunteered for church service projects, often with children in tow, whether they had volunteered or were voluntold. One of his greatest hopes was that his children would be better at life than he felt he had been. By any reasonable measure, his influence made that possible.

He had a lively sense of humor and loved telling stories, joking and laughing; though on occasion, his banter landed him in a little trouble. In Lovell, he was often seen making his daily visitation rounds, often with his friend Gerald. Their route started with stopping at Sinclair for a soda, Mayes Brothers, the Lovell Library, the Bank of Lovell and ending at Red Apple for a candy bar. Roger rarely met a stranger. He offered his famously funny “boot protector” to just about everyone he met, and plenty of people happily accepted the gift.

Roger also enjoyed exploring the Big Horn Basin, sometimes venturing onto roads and into weather better suited for a four-wheel drive vehicle and not the sedan he was driving. Guardian angels were surely busy on more than one of those outings, helping him get unstuck or change a flat tire. He found special joy in taking visiting children and grandchildren to the natural wonders he discovered in the basin along the way.

Roger loved his Savior, Jesus Christ. He and Janice joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on January 28, 1969, while living in McAllen, Texas. Their marriage was later sealed for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple on June 19, 1970. He remained a faithful member of the church throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Janice, mother Fern Shrader, sister Colleta Bacon, grandparents Pearl and Mae Hiser, uncle Orval and granddaughter Tessa Jue.

Roger is survived by his thirteen children, Kerry McConathy, Kevin Hiser, David (Jen) Hiser, Linda (Glenn) Brennan, Teresa Hiser, Edward (Eddee) Hiser, William (Fara) Hiser, Susan (Neil) Fettig, Stacey (Michelle) Hiser, Steven Hiser, Natalie (Bob) Jensen, Brian (Pamela) Hiser and Pamela (Nick) Davis, along with 30 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The children will forever cherish the memories, lessons, laughter and love of their father. His life was a testament to perseverance, faith, family and joy.

Special thanks to Aletha Durtsche and Autumn Tippetts Davison for the compassionate and attentive care shown Roger. Their kindness meant more to the family than words can express. They are also deeply grateful to the VA in-home care nurses and the staff at North Big Horn Hospital and the Clinic for the dedicated and respectful care they provided.

Visitation will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, at 9 a.m. in the West Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center in Lovell. Funeral services will follow at 10 a.m. in the East Chapel, with procession and burial at the Lovell Cemetery.