Roger Reutlinger, 80, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away at his home on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in Lexington.

Roger was born on November 25, 1945, in Central City, Nebraska, to Samuel F. Reutlinger and Wauneta Moser Reutlinger. His parents moved to Lexington in 1952, where he began kindergarten at Pershing Elementary School. He graduated in 1964 from Lexington High School. While in school he enjoyed playing all sports and received several first team all Southwest Conference awards. He was a member of the 1963 Class A baseball team which Monty Kiffin was a coach. After graduation, he attended Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, on a basketball scholarship. He played four years of college basketball, graduating in 1969 with a degree in Art Education.

He was teaching art and coaching in Norfolk, Nebraska. This was where he met his loving wife, Cindy Anderson, who was teaching home economics. They were married on August 13, 1972, at the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington. They moved to Lexington in 1978 and began teaching with the Lexington Public Schools. He retired in 2008, having taught for 40 years.

During the summers, he worked 20 years for Central Alfalfa at Josselyn. He then worked 20 years for the city of Lexington on the parks department, taking care of the parks and baseball fields. He was also a manager and did maintenance work at the swimming pool. He took pride in having a beautiful lawn and enjoyed growing a large garden, where he shared his produce with friends and neighbors. He loved studying old weather proverbs and predicting the weather from them.

He was a past elder of the First Presbyterian Church, served two terms on the YMCA board and three terms on the Lexington School Board. He was a long-time member, dedicating 49 years, to the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department, where he held six different offices and was an EMT. In 2009, he received the Award of Merit for outstanding Firemanship from the Nebraska State Fire Association. Along with his dad being a member of the Central City Fire Department, himself, and his son Chad, they have served in the fire service for over 100 years. He was also a high school basketball referee for 20 years.

In his spare time, he enjoyed cooking, drawing and oil painting many pictures. He loved pheasant and duck hunting with his son and friends, watching Nebraska football, volleyball, and the Boston Celtics. He took pride in watching his son and grandchildren participate in sport and school activities. He enjoyed class reunions and visiting with classmates and friends.

Survivors include his loving wife, Cindy Reutlinger of Lexington; sons, Troy Reutlinger and his wife, Maria Reutlinger Maravilla of Lexington, Chad Reutlinger and his wife, Stephanie Reutlinger of Lexington, and Corey Reutlinger of Omaha; grandchildren, Morgan (Jose Romero-Perez) Bowers, Daniel (Whitney) Bowers, Sydney Reutlinger Maravilla, and Paola Romero, all of Lexington; brothers-in-law, Mike (Kathy) Anderson of Lathrope, Missouri, Darold Wolfe of North Platte, Nebraska, as well as extended family and many friends.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Roijeane Wolfe of North Platte; brother-in-law, Richard Anderson of Lincoln; and Cindy's parents, Richard and Ruth Anderson.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Calvary Assembly of God Church in Lexington with Pastor Rex Adams officiating.

Graveside Services will be held after the service at Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2026, from 3-5 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.

Memorials are kindly suggested to the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department or to the family to later be designated to go towards Lexington Girls Sports.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com