Rodger Allen Wambeam, 66, of rural Austin, died Monday, May 14, 2007, at Austin Medical Center.

He was born Nov. 18, 1940, in Kensett, Iowa, to Russell and Stella (Eckert) Wambeam.

When Rodger was young, the family moved to Minnesota, where Roger attended school in Austin. He loved showing pigs and sheep in Future Farmers of America (FFA) winning numerous championships. On Sept. 7, 1963, he married Judy Tidemanson at Deer Creek Lutheran Church in Carpenter, Iowa. They made their home south of Austin and raised sheep at his father&8217;s farm. Rodger worked at Wilson&8217;s, which was later Farmstead, in Albert Lea for 27 years. He left and became an employee of Hormel Foods Corp. for 10 years.

In 1974 Rodger and Judy bought a farm 12 miles northwest of Austin, where they expanded their sheep flock, continuing to show them at local fairs and at the Minnesota State Fair. This year would have been the 50th year that Rodger showed sheep. A member of Minnesota Hampshire Sheep Association and the 2005 Mower County Livestock Hall of Fame, he enjoyed the people he met at shows and always had a story to tell them. Rodger also enjoyed the family fishing trips up north. He was a member of Red Oak Lutheran Church where he served as deacon.

Rodger is survived by his wife, Judy of Austin; daughter, Denise of Austin; son, Gil of Mapleview; two gransons, Stephan and Jayden of Rochester; brother, Dr. Russell (Margaret) Wambeam Jr. of Laramie, Wyo.; sisters, Alcienne (Charles) Madison of Maple Grove, Dellene (Steven) Schwartz of Austin; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church with the Rev. Bruce Falksen officiating. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment is at Woodbury Cemetery, rural Lyle.