Obituaries
Rogers P. Freedlund, Jr.
November 20, 1945 - February 20, 2023


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VISITATION
February 23, 2023 | 4;00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Thursday - Yurs Funeral Home Geneva
- Funeral
- February 24, 2023 | 11:00 A.M. Friday
- Hosanna Lutheran Church 36W925 Red Gate Road St. Charles
Rogers Paul Freedlund, Jr., passed away peacefully at his home on February 20th, 2023 at the age of 77.
He was born on November 20th, 1945 in Bloomington, Illinois, to Marilyn and Rogers P. Freedlund, Sr. Rogers attended University High School in Normal, Illinois where he played football and ran track. He continued his football career at Augustana University in Rock Island, IL. He then attended the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL where he was a member of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. He graduated from Illinois State University with his Bachelors of Science degree in the Spring of 1968. On August 24, 1968 he married the love of his life, Joy Ann Hartmann. He attended John Marshall Law School in Chicago, IL. Rog and Joy moved to the Chicago area during this time and started their family. In 1976 they moved to the Tri-city suburbs and raised their family there. Rogers worked for Allstate insurance company and Pat Ryan & Associates and then moved to Western Diversified, Inc, where he built their Automobile warranty program. In 1989 he started his first company, North American Warranty Services, Inc. In 1998 he founded the company American Guardian Warranty Services, Inc. He would build this company for the next 25 years until his retirement and sale of the company on Feb 1st 2023. He retired after more than 50 years in the industry and a decades-long career of leading and building four companies.
Rogers and Joy enjoyed living in the St. Charles area for more than 40 years and spending time with their family and friends, most especially their cherished nine grandchildren. Rogers, always a huge sports fan, loved attending his grandchildrens’ sporting events and was their biggest fan. Whether it was his grandsons playing football or his granddaughters playing soccer or tennis, whatever their activity, he was always there cheering them on. He was a huge Chicago Bears fan and loved to take his grandkids to games. Rog and Joy loved to spend time in Lake Geneva with their family, on their boat. They also loved spending time in the winter at their home in Palm Coast, Florida and have many happy memories of their times there. He and Joy attended Bethlehem Lutheran church in St. Charles, where he taught Sunday school for many years. Rogers had a heart for philanthropy and for giving to those that needed help the most. He was on the board of Hesed House homeless shelter in Aurora, IL since it’s inception, for over 30 years. He supported many families in their transition to living outside of Hesed House throughout the years. At Christmas and Thanksgiving he would provide dinner and presents for those that could not afford gifts or food themselves. He and Joy were also supporters of St Jude Children’s hospital. He and Joy helped his daughter Brittany Lerdal to start her own charity, Happy Hooves Therapeutic Farm, in Elburn, IL.
He loved to play bridge and to take his labs on walks or for a swim in the lake. Rogers never met a person he didn’t like and was the life of the party, he had the biggest heart for helping people, and made that his life’s work. He would always say that faith and family are the most important things in life, and giving to others. He was a follower of Christ and he taught his grandkids that luck is actually blessings from the Lord. He will be so dearly missed by his loving family, many friends and loyal employees.
He is survived by his beloved wife of almost 55 years, Joy Ann Freedlund (Hartmann). His three daughters: Kirsten (Jon) Anderson of Geneva, IL, Jamie (Daniel) Lievrouw of St. Charles, IL and Brittany (Kirk) Lerdal of Elburn, IL.
His adored grandchildren: Jonathan (Kameisha) Anderson, Collin Lievrouw, Ashley Anderson, Alexa (Zach) Woeste, Morgan Anderson, McKenna Lievrouw, Brendan Anderson, Benjamin Lerdal and Alexandra Lerdal.
His parents Marilyn and Rogers P. Freedlund, Sr., of Bloomington, IL, his siblings: Jon (Merry) Freedlund of Lombard, IL, Victoria (James) VanCauwenberge of Towanda, IL and Elizabeth Objartel of Bloomington, IL. And many nieces and nephews and their children.
Visitation will be held at Yurs funeral home in Geneva, IL from 4-8 pm on Thursday, February 23rd and a memorial service will be held on Friday, February 24th at 11 am at Hosanna Lutheran Church in St. Charles, IL.
Donations in his honor can be made to Hesed House (www.Hesedhouse.org) or to Happy Hooves Therapeutic Farm at (www.hhtfarm.com).
For more information, please call Yurs Funeral Home St. Charles, 630-584-0060.
Condolences
David Burnett from New Braunfels , TX
"Praying for your family. Enjoyed your words of wisdom. Rest in peace.From the Burnett’s."
Mark and Joy from St Charles, IL
"God's richest blessings on the family."
Dolores and Ned Gruca from Marco Island, FL
"We are so sorry to hear about Rogers passing. We will always remember the good times shared over soccer, bridge, dinners and neighborhood gatherings. Rogers was a great friend and will be missed by many. Our sympathies to your family."
Pablo Tabilo from Warrenville, IL
"My condolences I was happy to work for him, he gave me a good chance and every interaction I had with him, he was always approachable. He made me feel very quickly as part of AGWS"
Sandy Casperson from Carol Stream, IL
"My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Rogers was a wonderful and thoughtful man."
Nancy Imundo from Elmhurst, IL
"My deepest sympathies. Rogers was a kind and generous man. He made AGWS the happiest and best job I've ever had. He made us all feel like one big family. I will truly miss his smile."
Julie Ratfield from Yorkville, IL
"My deepest condolences. Praying for the family and friends. Thank you for creating such a wonderful company to work for."
Wendy Stanton from Geneva, IL
"I am so sorry for your loss. I am lucky to have known Rogers and know that he will be greatly missed. Sending you all love and support through this difficult time. A donation has been made to Hesed House on his honor."
Jody Love from Custer Park, IL
"My deepest condolences to the family . Rogers was a great man and treated all of his employees like family and always looked out for us . It was a pleasure to work for him and he will truly be missed,"
Andrew Ackermann from Darien, IL
"What a blessing to know a man who inspired so many. Condolences to the entire Freedlund family who are in my prayers today."
Steve Apicella from Castle Rock, CO
"Rhonda and I offer our sincerest condolences to the Freedlund and AGWS families. I’ll always cherish my relationship with him, the great business we conducted together and the love of wine he inspired in me. I’m particularly grateful to Joy for originally connecting me with Rogers and all the blessings that came thereafter. We’re thinking of you all today and celebrating Rogers’ beautiful life."
Sue Gery from Bloomingdale , IL
"My deepest sympathies to Joy and your family. Rogers was a truly caring person and made the experience at AGWS feel like family. He will surely be missed."
David Lenius from Glendale Hts, IL
"My deepest sympathies. He made AGW a family environment. Truely a pleasure to work for. God speed."
John Meyer from Warrenville, IL
"My deepest sympathies to you and your family. He was a man with a great taste in wine."
Ottmar Heymann from Des Plaines , IL
"You are in my prayers. I am so sorry for your loss. Rodgers was a wonderful person. He made AGWS a family friendly place.to work for he will be missed."
Dalila Alvarado from Chicago, IL
"My deepest condolences to the family. He was truly an amazing, kind hearted man. He always had a smile and something pleasant to say. I will remember him with much fondness, as he truly was a kind soul. May his memory live on."
Betty from Naperville , IL
"Condolences to the family. Rogers was an amazing kind hearted person. May her RIP"
Arden and Donna Hetland from The Woodlands, TX
"We are thinking of you of you Joy, the girls and all your family today. We enjoyed our time together and have fond memories of the times we shared with you and Rogers. God Bless You all. 🙏😇🙏"