1936-2026
Roger Harold Tallman was called home to his Lord on July 31, 2026, in Guthrie Center. The son of Harold Claude and Lois Marie (Harwood) Tallman, Roger was born on the family farm north of Guthrie Center, on Jan. 17, 1936.
Roger spent his childhood on a farm and attended country schools before graduating from Guthrie Center High School in 1955. When he was 16 years old, he began driving a school bus. He often reflected that it seemed odd that he could legally drive children on a school bus at 16 years of age, but in order to haul hogs in a truck, he would have to be 18.
Roger worked for Guthrie Center Schools and Hagen Chevrolet before marrying Colleen Kay Williamson on Aug. 14, 1960. The couple were blessed with three children — Delores Lee Tallman, Karen Elaine Vannatta Kelly, and William (Bill) Roger Tallman. In 1961, Roger and Colleen moved to Panora, where they owned and operated the Standard Oil Station. After selling the station, Roger was employed by Kenyon Construction and John Deere before returning to Guthrie Center in 1970 to be employed by the Guthrie Center School District as mechanic and director of transportation. Roger retired in 1999 after working for the school for 32 years.
Roger and Colleen did everything together, and, in 1987, they started a concession business that they ran for 35 years; Roger’s funnel cakes were legendary! He enjoyed trying new things and added every menu item that would fit into that red trailer. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes not.
With his twinkling eyes, Roger was a natural at helping when Santa wasn’t available during the holiday season. For years, he would put on his red velvet suit and show up at local events to listen to Christmas requests from children of all ages.
A member of the Panora Church of the Brethren, Roger served as board chair for many years. He was a member of IPTA (Iowa Public Transportation Association) and board chair for six years. He served on the Guthrie County Extension Council and on the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Reserve, and was a member of the Guthrie County Fair Board for more than 25 years. Roger was proud of being awarded an honorary FFA Award by the Guthrie Center High School FFA Chapter.
Fishing and hunting were hobbies Roger especially enjoyed sharing with his son, Bill. Roger loved his cattle and farm work, but, most of all, he loved his family. He enjoyed spending time with his grandsons and delighted in following their activities; only for his grandsons would Roger drive clear across the state to watch a show choir performance.
Anyone who ever has been on the receiving end of a prank phone call from Roger — or who ingested a chocolate-covered cotton ball on the platter of Christmas treats that Colleen took to the bus garage — knows about Roger’s ornery sense of humor. Nothing pleased him more than a prank that went as he planned or a funny story that made his audience laugh.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Lois Tallman; his daughter, Delores Tallman; his son, William (Bill) Tallman; his son-in-law, George Vannatta, his sisters, Nancy Tallman and Ella Carhill; and his brother, Wayne Tallman. He is survived by his wife, Colleen; daughter, Karen (Darrin) Kelly; grandsons, Matthew (Mandy) Vannatta and Samuel Vannatta; step-grandchildren, Steve (Diane) Vannatta, Karen Vaske; great-granddaughter, Margot Vannatta; siblings, Vera Kenyon, Ilene Tallman, Flora (Alan) Wise, Lyman Tallman, Mary Lou Ludwig, Tonie (Peg) Tallman and Ruth Crawford; sisters-in-law, Patsy Tallman and Norma Thurman; brothers-in-law, Jim (Diane Williamson), Ken (Deb) Williamson; and many nieces, nephews and step-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Panora Church of the Brethren followed by burial at the Union Cemetery in Guthrie Center. Visitation will be Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. at Twigg Funeral Home in Panora.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.