Roger De Jager

Jefferson- Rouke “Roger” De Jager was born in Uitwellingerga, Friesland, the Netherlands on February 1, 1936, to Pieter De Jager and Aaltje De Vries. He would attend primary school in the Netherlands and Agricultural school in Holland before moving to the United States at the age of 21. Soon after arriving in the United States, Roger was drafted into the United States Army. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1960 but would continue to serve in the National Guard until 1964. While living in Chino, California, Roger would meet Jessie Boersma through church. The two would marry in 1963 in Chino, California. Roger loved his wife and made sure to show it daily.  It didn’t take long before four children were added to their family. The family would move to Oregon in 1969 where Roger would start up a dairy in Corbett, Oregon. A few years later they would purchase property in Jefferson, Oregon where Roger would move his operation to. Roger was an avid volunteer. He served on the board of the Marion County Farm Bureau from 2002-2018, as well as many co-op/organizational boards. He was also a volunteer firefighter and elder at his church.  Roger and Jessie received the Community Service Award from ODFA in 2020. He also received the Diamond Pioneer Award through Oregon State University for his “lifetime contributions to agriculture, natural resources, and the people of Oregon”. Roger was someone that loved to talk to people and visit. He could make friends with just about everyone. He loved his family and grandchildren and always made sure he was involved in their activities. On November 19, 2021, Roger passed away in Jefferson, Oregon. He was preceded in passing by his parents, Pieter and Aaltje; brother, Sjoerd; and grandchildren, Hannah and Luke. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Jessie; children, Sandra (Rick) Kwant, Peter (Carol) De Jager, Alice (Bill) Brawley, Rob (Holli) De Jager; grandchildren, Martin (Emma), Sam (Alyse), Cassie (Christian), Heidi, Valerie, Nathan, Terri, Lydia, Hanna, Ashton, Caleb, Nico, Kaitie (Taylor), Jessica, Roger, Annabelle, Bradley, Ryan, Andrew, Emma, Livia; great-grandchild, Layton; and siblings, Durk, Trynje, Akke, Watte, Hinke, Lyda and Anoe. A private graveside service will take place at City View Cemetery in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, November 27th at 10 AM with a memorial service to follow at Immanuel's Reformed Church in Salem, Oregon at 12 PM. Service live stream link: www.immanuelsreformed.org In Lieu of flowers please make a donation in Roger's name to Hope Pregnancy Clinic, in Salem Oregon