Zella Elizabeth Rogers

Zella Rogers, 104, of Cheyenne, was called home to be with her heavenly father, and loved ones who preceded her, at Life Care Center. She was surrounded by her loving family and caring staff.
She was born on September 5, 1918, in Burlington, CO, as a ranch girl to Cora and Charlie Rogers.
Zella had six siblings and as the eldest girl, by the time she was four, she would stand on a stool in their sod house and make biscuits for her family. She would rise at dawn daily to help her family. Her dedication to family was the strong thread that held her life and those around her together—a thread based on selflessness and unconditional love.
Zella loved ranch life out in the “middle of nowhere” on the hot, dry prairie. Her father, who was also her best friend, trained and raised horses. Zella would ride her white horse to school two miles back-and-forth every day with her black dog, Tip, close at their heels. As a lady of the country, she persevered to become a high school graduate—a great achievement for her and the family.
Within a year of graduating high school, she married Claude. They met at a community dance and united their love on July 24th, 1937. Zella and Claude were a match made in heaven—they did everything together as best friends and treated one another with such a sweet, caring, and gentle love. They continued their dancing days after marriage going every Saturday night, even after having a family, with “Aunt Shirley” serving as the babysitter.
Zella and Claude moved to Casper for Claude’s job with the Phone Company. While there, they welcomed their beautiful children Loisjean, William, and James. In 1955, they moved to their forever home in Cheyenne. They bought the lone white on Bevans, which was then the eastside of town. Zella was a stay-at-home mom who cooked all their meals from scratch and tailored clothing for all her children. Zella’s heart extended to all those around her; she would take care of kids that her children would bring home from school each day and even provided a home to a few to finish high school. Every night, no matter who was brought to the family dinner table, a piping hot and delicious dinner was served. Sundays were reserved for church, family time, and the variety of musicians who would visit their home to “jam—” playing accordion, guitar, piano, and to sing. Zella would always serve her ice-cold pink lemonade, Claude’s favorite, to their musician friends.
Her children remember how homemade cinnamon rolls would be served before school and how Zella made the best goulash—a recipe they still can’t get right. They also remember the wonderful Thanksgiving meals that Zella would start days before and rise at dawn to finish for her family—they remember her famous “light rolls” and turkey as perfect each year as family gathered in her loving home bursting at the seams.
Loisjean, Bill, and Jim also fondly remember how all the kids would come from the neighborhood to the “Rogers’” home. After Zella’s children no longer lived at home, they recalled how they would still have friends that would stop and say hello. All kids, family, and friends—no matter who—were always welcome at her home. In fact, Zella always left the backdoor to her house unlocked and everyone in town knew her place was a safe haven for anyone needing care, love, a cup of coffee, or gas money. Zella, literally, helped raised five generations of family and supported all friends near or far that came into her life. After Claude passed, Zella also became the caretaker to many of her siblings who were welcomed with open, loving arms.
Zella is survived by her children—Loisjean (Edwin) Hallberg, William (Jan) Rogers & Jim (Susie) Rogers. Her grandchildren—Dale, Kenneth, Michele (Steve), Amy, Anna (Shane), Sarah (Waide) & Andrew. Her great-grandchildren—Jessica, Jed, Will (Kc), Liz, Danielle (Jess), Christian (Conner), Zane & Max. Her great-great grandchildren—Iris, Layla, Liam, Daylan, Elliot & Josephine. Zella was preceded in death by her baby John; parents; her husband, Claude, and his parents and family; Rose Hallberg; Noah Hallberg; many siblings (their spouses); and other family and friends. All were blessed to know her. Her family and friends will miss her graciousness in the way she served Christ daily. Services will be private for the family.