James "Roger" Ludwig

James “Roger” Ludwig, age 72 of Kearney, Nebraska (formerly Hereford, Texas and Beloit, Kansas), passed away Sunday, December 3, 2023, at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. A celebration of life service and burial will be held in the spring of 2024 in Beloit, Ks. Contributions can be made to the Sylvia Ludwig Scholarship, c/o Beloit High School Foundation, 1711 N. Walnut, Beloit, KS., 67420. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is in charge of local arrangements. Roger was born on February 20, 1951, to Max and Ruth (Vetter) Ludwig in Beloit, Ks. He graduated from Beloit High School in 1969 and continued his education at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas with his older brother Brian. Roger later earned his associate’s degree in Feed Yard Management from Colby Community College in Colby, Ks. It is there that he met the love of his life, Martha McWilliams, whom he married on December 21, 1974, in Tulia, Texas. Roger and Martha along with Martha’s daughter Amy Anderson then moved to Beloit, KS. where Roger worked as a cowboy foreman for Solomon Valley Feeders. He also enjoyed helping his dad farm, particularly during harvest season. Max loved to tell the story of seeing a 14-year-old Roger drive a grain truck down Main Street of Beloit on his way to help the harvest crew through Oklahoma. Roger also spent countless hours at the Ludwig family farm helping his Uncle Bob and Aunt Jean and cousins with anything farm related. His love of cattle, horses, and farming remained with him his entire life. With the addition of their daughter Samantha (born in 1978), the Ludwig’s moved to Hereford, Texas in 1991 where Roger worked as the assistant manager of Keeling Cattle Feeders. He continued to work for owner Scott Keeling until he retired in 2016. Roger lost his beloved wife Martha in November of 2015 and moved to Kearney, NE with Amy in 2016 to be with Samantha, her husband Shawn Malone and their family. Roger and Amy lived with the Malones enjoying countless cookouts and garage “meetings” where Roger could be found in his favorite spot watching old westerns, war movies or football! He was an avid Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas State Wildcats fan! The neighbors jokingly referred to him as the “neighborhood watchman.” He loved spending time with his grandkids Zech, JaeCee, and Mylee and engaging in lively conversations with his son-in-law Shawn. Roger was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February of 2023 and fought the disease with his usual grit and strong will. Roger was preceded in death by his wife Martha; parents Max and Ruth; brother Brian; and sister Sylvia. He is survived by daughter Amy Anderson, daughter Samantha (Shawn) Malone, grandson Zech (Katelynn Allan) Malone, and granddaughters JaeCee and Mylee Malone all of Kearney, NE, brother Lee (Patrice) Ludwig of Shawnee, KS along with their family and a “bonus” daughter Farron (Greg) Urbanczyk and family of Hereford, TX The family would like to thank the caring staff of CHI Good Samaritan Hospital for its support and compassion for Roger during his last days. His children and grandchildren will always cherish the many loving memories of their dad and granddad and the many important life lessons he taught them all.

Tributes

James "Roger" Ludwig

February 20, 1951 - December 3, 2023