Roger Blimling

Blimling, Roger W. COTTAGE GROVE - Roger W. Blimling, age 54, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Jacksonville, Ill., on Nov. 15, 1952, the son of Arthur and Velma (Alhorn) Blimling. Roger graduated from Jacksonville High School with the class of 1970 and continued his studies at Illinois College, graduating in 1974. Roger was united in marriage to Janet Knobloch on Aug. 6, 1977. After earning his master of business administration degree from the University of Illinois-Springfield in 1983, Roger began his career in grain merchandising. He founded his two namesake companies (Blimling and Associates Inc. and Roger W. Blimling Inc.) in 1992. Applying techniques he learned in the grain trade and utilizing a grant from the state of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Roger began working with dairy clients in 1993 to assemble the nations first-ever flat-price forward contracting program for farmer milk. In the early days, working from the basement of his home in Cottage Grove, Roger was fond of saying, "You know, we might just be able to make a living doing this." He was correct, as the companies today serve a clientele that ranges from small dairy farmers to Fortune 500 food and restaurant companies. All along, he believed in doing well by doing good, never taking short cuts and rarely uttering an unkind word. Roger was not all about the business. He was also a devoted husband and loving father. When at play, he enjoyed a long motorcycle ride, a round of golf, an afternoon of fishing, an evening of blues music and an occasional turn at the craps or blackjack table. Above all, in business as in life, Roger lived to help others achieve their dreams. Roger is survived by his wife of 30 years, Janet; daughter, Andrea (Corey) Singletary of Fitchburg; son, A.J. Blimling of Cottage Grove; brothers Dan (Beth) Blimling of Racine and J.T. Blimling of Virginia Beach, Va.; sister, Jean (Michael) Donley of Chesterfield, Mo.; mother-in-law, Deane Seiwell of Peoria, Ill.; brother-in-law, Howard (Nancy) Knobloch of Peoria, Ill.; and a large and loving family of friends. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007, at 11 a.m. at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, with the Rev. Kaye Glennon presiding. Visitation will be held on Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for a charity to be determined.