A celebration of life service was held on Monday, August 11, 2025 at the Loup City Community Center with Pastor Scott Harvey officiating.

The service coincided with his son’s funeral, Michael Newtson, who died suddenly Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Honorary Pallbearers were Charlie Leithoff, Eldon Kieborz, Justin Hallman, Clancy Walthers, Aaron Fletcher, and Jason Stark.

Burial of the ashes will be held at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the Loup City or Ravenna Fire and Rescue departments.

Higgins Funeral Home in Loup City is in charge of arrangements. Condolences for Roger’s family can be left at higginsfuneralhomelc. com.

Roger W. Newtson was the eldest son to Russell L. Newtson and Jessie P.

“Pat” (Tibbels) Newtson born on July 10, 1948 at North Platte.

Roger attended grade school at District 31 south of North Platte and graduated high school from North Platte Senior High in 1966. He attended junior college in North Platte. He was very active in 4-H and FFA. He was a Nebraska State FFA Officer. He loved showing horses and cattle. His horse “Joe” was a family favorite.

Roger met his wife Connie (Chelewski) while working at North Platte Saddlery. They had a common interest of horses. Roger’s horse “Joe” sealed the deal when he offered him to Connie to run barrels on at college rodeos.

Roger and Connie were married at Stapleton on August 2, 1970. To their union they had two children, Michael and Corrie.

They made their home south of North Platte.

Roger milked cows and worked in town as a plumber for Reinhardt Plumbing. Later, in 1981, they moved to Connie’s grandfather’s (Jim Psota) farm south of Loup City. There, the couple grew their dairy cow herd and farmed.

Roger later sold his milk cows and ran commercial cows. Roger enjoyed his time working at Loup City Sale Barn every week. He said that was his tobacco money.

After the barn closed, he worked at Ericson Livestock Market to pay for his habit. Roger looked forward to making each year’s hay crop so he could provide horse hay for his wife and daughter. He was a Master “Jimmy Rigger.” He often told his family “You all worry too much, just drive it.”

Roger was a great encourager. He loved to watch his children and grandson at all of their 4-H and FFA activities.

He was also known to stand over, observing a person’s work progress to then proclaim, “your gettin’ it…you about got it!”

Roger died suddenly at his home from a heart attack after learning of the passing of his son, Mike.

Survivors include his daughter, Corrie (Thomas) Walthers of Loup City; grandson, Clancy Walthers of Ord; nephew, Aaron (Julie) Fletcher of Hershey; brother, Wesley Newtson of Benkelman; and sisters, Virginia (Bruce) Huffman of Tryon and Kara Newtson of North Platte.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Connie of fifty-one years; son, Mike; parents, Russ and Pat Newtson; in-laws, “Dutch” and Helen (Psota) Chelewski; brother, Dale Newtson; brother-in law, John Fletcher; sisters-in-law, Mary Frahm and Kathy Newtson; and nephew, Shaun Fletcher.

The Sherman County Times | August 13, 2025