Roger was born outside of Bloomfield, NE on March 30, 1940 to Wilmer and Leona (Friedrich) Vanness. He spent his childhood on their family farm south of Bloomfield. He attended country school until the 7th grade then attended parochial school for two years in Bloomfield then high school, where he graduated in 1958. Roger enlisted with the Army January of 1958 and was in the Army Reserves for 8 years both active and standby. He attended Norfolk Jr. College, IBM School in Minneapolis and also took classes at Omaha University. Roger had two children from a previous marriage, Debbie and Dean. Roger moved here from Brunsville, IA to a farm east of Dimock.  In 1982 he married Diana Blachnik Ehrisman in Mitchell, SD. Roger worked various jobs and owned various businesses throughout his life, including Camper Clinic, but Roger always took great pride in his farming operation that he ran with the help of his wife Diana and her two sons, Sean and Scott. Roger took great pride in his boer goats and sheep which all had names and would come running across the pasture when called, especially Tunie. In  2010 they sold the farm, and he retired, they moved to Parkston.

     Roger is survived by his wife Diana, one daughter Debbie, two step-sons, Sean and Scott, three granddaughters and eight great-grandchildren. Roger was proceded in death by his parents, brothers Elwin (infant), Gary Vanness, and Eldon Vanness as well as one sister Karen Antisdel and son, Dean.

     Burial with Military Honors will take place immediately following the Memorial Service at Protestant Cemetery in Parkston, SD.