Michael Allan Rogers, 72, of Russell, and former Aurora, Colo., resident died on Sunday, February 16, 2020, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays.
Mike was born on Sept. 11, 1947, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of James E. and Margaret R. (Orr) Rogers. Mike grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and graduated from Regis Catholic High School in 1965.
In 1967 he joined the United States Army, serving in Vietnam and Germany until 1970. Following his service in the Army he attended Mankato State University where he met, fell in love with and was united in marriage to Christine Cimprich on June 10, 1972, at St. Matthews Church in Cedar Rapids.
Mike graduated from Mankato State University, Minn., in 1973 with a degree in business administration. Upon completion of college, Mike worked in sales for several different companies in Minnesota, Iowa and Colorado.
After moving to Colorado, he and Christine were blessed with two children, Nicholas and Adrienne. In 1984, Mike became the owner and operator of Teleconnect, which was a telephone installation and repair service. Mike also helped found a Colorado chapter of S.K.I.P. (Sick Kids (need) Involved People) to advocate for families with seriously ill children to stay at home instead of at hospitals or institutions.
He and Christine lived in Aurora, Colo., for 30 years before moving to Russell in January 2015. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans of Hays and the U.S.G.A. He enjoyed woodworking and wood carving, golfing, cooking and enjoyed hunting and fishing as a young man.
Surviving family include his wife Christine of the home; son Nicholas Rogers in Victoria, Kan.; daughter Adrienne Rogers in Hoisington; brother Patrick Rogers with wife Molly in Mankato, Minn.; nephew Jason Rogers with wife Shelly in Victoria, Minn.; nephew Mike Rogers with wife Sara in Kanosh, Utah; sister-in-law Debbie Griswold with husband Brad in Fallbrook, Calif.; nephew Jordan Rogers in Bonsall, Calif.; and niece Rebecca Gillman with husband Josh in Chula Vista, Calif.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Thomas Rogers.
A gathering celebration of Michael's life will be on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, with the family greeting guests from 5 to 7 p.m.
Cremation has been selected by the family. Internment of remains is planned for a later date in the WaKeeney Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Hays Medical Center Hospice. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary who is in charge of these arrangements.