Cover photo for Roger Jansson's Obituary
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1945 Roger 2021

Roger Jansson

November 18, 1945 — October 18, 2021

Roger N. Jansson, 75, of Davenport, Iowa passed away on Monday, October 18, 2021 at Bickford Assisted Living in Davenport, Iowa..

Roger Nils Jansson was born November 18, 1945 in Moline, Illinois. He was the son of Nils, a Swedish immigrant, and Margaret (Carlson) Jansson. Roger was proud of his Swedish heritage and passed on many cherished family traditions to his children (although lutefisk at Christmas dinner may not continue in his absence).

A graduate of Augustana College and University of Illinois College of Dentistry, Roger was a dentist by trade, a career chosen because he knew it would mean a great deal to his parents to have a doctor in the family. His favorite part of dentistry was talking with his patients and educating people so they could be empowered to make their own healthcare decisions. Although he was an excellent dentist, he would have preferred to prevent through education every dental procedure he ever performed. More than 25 years after he stopped practicing dentistry due to the effects of multiple sclerosis, family and friends still called him for dental advice.

Roger was an eccentric man, a continual source of both pride and exasperation to all who loved him. He was a proud feminist and Democrat with an unending supply of ideas for making the world a better place. He was a scientist and life-long learner who entered every library he passed, opened every door that looked interesting, complimented every person he met, and petted every animal that would let him. He could have spent multiple lifetimes on earth and would never have become bored.

Above all, Roger cared deeply about his family and friends. He revered his wife and loved his daughters unconditionally, truly believing they could accomplish anything. He was proud of everything the women in his life accomplished, no matter how small, and more than anything he wished for them to be happy. And as those who knew him are aware, he spoke of his grandchildren, siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews and devoted friends with equal pride and love.

Left to honor Roger’s memory are his wife, Ellen; daughter Vanessa Taylor and son-in-law Chris Taylor; daughter Kristina Zimmerman and son-in-law Grant Zimmerman; grandchildren Emrys and Noah Taylor and Clark Zimmerman; siblings Dwain Jansson and Darlene (Lloyd) Powless, and many nieces and nephews and their children. His family is forever grateful for the love and care Roger received from Bickford Assisted Living and UnityPoint Hospice over the last few years.

We will celebrate Roger’s life with a service in the spring. If you would like to do something to honor Roger’s memory, we suggest hugging those you love, complimenting someone, conducting a science experiment, reading a nonfiction book, or exploring somewhere you’ve never been. If you would like to make a donation in his name, wonderful options would be your local public library, animal welfare organization, ACLU, PBS or NPR affiliate, Democratic candidate for office, or public health organization.

Online condolences may be shared with Roger’s family at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Roger Jansson, please visit our flower store.

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