James Jensen
Feb. 20, 1947 – Jan. 3, 2020
James Carl Jensen, age 72 of Tyler, passed away Friday, Jan. 3 at the Tyler Healthcare Center. Visitation was Tuesday, Jan. 7, 4-7 p.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home in Tyler. Funeral service will be Wednesday, Jan. 8, 11 a.m. at Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler. Interment will follow at Danebod Lutheran Cemetery. To view Jim’s life history or sign an online registry please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
James Carl Jensen was born Feb. 20, 1947, to Raymond and Hazel (Hansen) Jensen.He was raised on the farm and attended school in Tyler, where he graduated from Tyler Public High School in 1965. During his childhood, he was a member of the 4-H club and enjoyed working with his family’s square-dancing horses. Throughout his high school career, he was very passionate about sports including football, basketball, and baseball. He even went on to play collegiate football at Concordia College in Moorhead prior to returning to assist on the family farm. He was a great dancer, and was a member of the theater group during his college years, as well.
Jim was drafted into the U.S. Army on Sept. 24, 1969, and went on to serve in Vietnam. Jim was united in marriage to Joyce Drake on Sept. 5, 1970, in Tyler. He furthered his education by studying masonry construction at the Pipestone Vocational School and earned his degree in 1973. Jim started his own business, Jensen Masonry Construction, which he operated for over 40 years prior to his retirement in 2012. In addition to his career, it brought Jim great joy to brick his daughters’ homes. Jim took great pride in his work and attention to detail. On Friday, Jan. 3, Jim passed away at the Tyler Healthcare Center at the age of 72 years, 10 months, and 14 days.
Jim and Joyce were looking forward to celebrating their 50th anniversary in nine months. His family was very important to him and he truly adored his grandchildren. Some of his favorite memories were made on family vacations and playing cribbage at family holidays. Jim also valued his family history and kept family memories alive by sharing stories. Jim’s love of sports continued into adulthood, in addition to watching the Discovery Channel, he spent many hours watching and supporting all Minnesota sports teams. He appreciated the outdoors and could often be found gardening, maple sapping, fishing, or hunting. Jim was a talented card player and also enjoyed working on sudoku puzzles. His family will always remember his ability to teach those around him, his solid handshake, and his love of pistachios and ice cream.
Jim and Joyce were members of Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler. Jim was proud to have been able to use his talents of bricklaying on the Danebod Church sign, Danebod Cemetery entrances, and several area community and church projects. Jim’s mission trip to New Orleans to help with hurricane relief was a very impactful event in his life. Jim was active on bowling and golf leagues, as well as organizing, sponsoring, and playing on the Tyler Fast Pitch Team in the early 1980s. Jim was a member and past president of the Lions Club. He was also a member of the New Vista Housing Board since its origination in 1976. He served on the Tyler Lumber Board, Danebod Village Board, Danebod Folk School Board, and the Danebod Cemetery Board.
He is survived by his wife Joyce of Tyler; daughters— Stephanie (Joel) Lorsung of Pine City, Karie (Steve) Rutz of Mankato, and Karissa (Matthew) Winter of Cleveland; eight grandchildren—Hannah Marie Lorsung, Alison Cassandra Rutz, Katelyn Marie Lorsung, Leia Korine Rutz, Jocelyn Marie Lorsung, Emmett James Rutz, Gwendolyn Rae Winter and Kasyn Rae Winter; sister Susan (Michael) Thompson of Bagley; siblings-in-law Clair (Deanna) Drake, Noreen (Ken) Grunig and Debbie (Gunnar) Toussaint; nieces and nephews Darice (Jason) Nielsen, Chad (Renae) Drake, Daynica (Patrick) Brown, Cade (Amanda) Drake, Megan (Bill) Reynolds, Mitchell (Brittany) Grunig, Mackenze (Meredith) Grunig, Zachary Toussaint, Klae (Kristi) Thompson, Kole (Yumiko) Thompson, Kelsie Thompson, and Kase (Tonya) Thomspon; great-nieces and nephews Ashlyn and William Henry III Reynolds, Kamryn, Kiptyn and Kaliana Thompson, Jayce, Zachary, Shane and Kaley Thompson, Jaden and Nichole Chesley, and Lexi, Kira and Domanick Thompson. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law Betty Drake.
Memorials are preferred to Danebod Cemetery, where Jim was an active board member and the current groundskeeper.
James Anderson
April 21, 1933 – Dec. 28, 2019
Jim Anderson, age 86 of Lake Benton, died peacefully while surrounded by family at his home on Dec. 28, 2019. Visitation was Friday, Jan. 3, 4-6 p.m. at St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Lake Benton. Funeral service was Saturday, Jan. 4, 10:30 a.m. at church. Private family interment will occur at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Hartquist Funeral Home–Lake Benton Chapel. To view Jim’s full life history or sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
James Richard Anderson passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loved ones on Dec. 28, 2019, at the age of 86 years, eight months, and nine days. He was born April 21, 1933, in Lake Benton, to Elmer and Margaret Anderson. Jim was the oldest of three children, followed by Donna and Charles. Jim grew up with a great appreciation for the outdoors and graduated from Lake Benton High School in 1951, before enlisting in the U.S. Army. Soon after enlisting, he was stationed in Europe, resulting in three years serving his country in Germany and England during the Korean War. Jim took advantage of any given leave during his service to travel Europe, with his only communication back home during this time in the form of written letters to his family.
Upon returning home to Lake Benton in 1956, Jim met his lifelong sweetheart, Margret Persoon. The two were joined in marriage in April 1957, and spent over 62 years loving each other. As Jim liked to say, “more than 60 years with the same woman, can you believe it?!”—but anyone who knew Jim knows that no one else could have kept up with him (or kept him in line!) as well as Margret did, and no one could have loved Margret as much as Jim did.
The two were blessed with four children—Cindy, Richard, Deborah and Susan. Jim’s value of a strong work ethic showed in his years of service at Hick’s Oil in Pipestone from 1957 until his retirement in 1995. When he wasn’t working, Jim dedicated time to his passion for the outdoors and his family. He spent many seasons on Lake Benton fishing or in the woods trapping and hunting. If he wasn’t out on an adventure with his hunting partner, Rick, he was bringing home a new pet for Sue or Deb to play with.
In addition to his appreciation for the outdoors, Jim was always connected to his roots in Lake Benton. He was an active participant in his community, whether it was serving smoked bullhead he prepared for Legion members following the Saddle Horse Holiday Parade or “adopting” grandkids in the neighborhood from his front porch. If something was going on in or around town, Jim would be one of the first to know—especially if it involved a good story or a decent fishing report. If the listener stuck around, they might have heard Jim tell the story to a new audience, but this time, the fish suddenly grew in size. If you listened close enough to a Jim story, you either learned a lesson about life or ended up laughing—his best stories had both.Jim’s knack for storytelling remains perhaps one of his grandchildren’s favorite things about him. If he wasn’t entertaining the grandkids with a (usually “tall”) tale, he was talking about his grandchildren to anyone who would listen.
Jim cherished his time with his grandchildren; whether it was testing their “eagle eye” on a drive to look at nature, or taking them out on a “wienie roast” at Hole-in-the-Mountain Park, he took every opportunity to impart wisdom and never missed a chance to tease his grandkids.
In the end, the thing Jim was most proud of was his family and the love they shared. During large family gatherings, Jim would often look at Margret with a twinkle in his bright blue eyes, accompanied by a small smile, and quietly say, “Can you believe we started all this?”
He might have been too humble to admit it, but to his family, this 6’4” giant with a heart of gold and wit as sharp as a tack was our hero, and he will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife Margret; son Rick (Janis) of New Hope; daughter Sue (George) Robinson of Robbinsdale; grandchildren Crystal, Justin, Alyssa, Jade (Josiah), Maddi, Sierra and George; and four great grandchildren—Chloe, Peyton, Ari and Aaron. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sister Donna, his daughters Cindy and Deb, and granddaughter Shelby.
Joan Votava
Sept. 5, 1946 – Jan. 1, 2020
Joan Votava, age 73 of Marshall, died Wednesday, Jan. 1 at Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. Memorial services were 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 6 at Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall. Following a reception, interment took place in the Hamlin Reformed Church Cemetery near Castlewood, South Dakota. Visitation was 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, at Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. A prayer service was scheduled for 7 p.m. Visitation continued one hour prior to the service on Monday, Jan. 6, 10-11 a.m. at the church.
Joan Beth Lee was born Sept. 5, 1946, in Watertown, South Dakota, to parents Robert and Ruth (Sikkink) Lee. She was baptized as an infant in the Reformed Church and grew up near Castlewood, South Dakota. Joan attended country school, then graduated from Brookings High School with the Class of 1964 before continuing her education at South Dakota State University, graduating in 1968 with a home economics degree.
On March 29, 1975, Joan was united in marriage to Donald Votava in Brookings, South Dakota. The couple made their home in Owen, Wisconsin, before moving to Marshall in 1976. They built their current house the following year and raised two daughters there, Jana and Alison. In addition to being a loving mother and wife, Joan taught preschool in the ECFE program for many years. She then began to work in customer service for Schwan’s, retiring in 2013.
Joan was active in the Christian Women’s Fellowship and attended many Bible studies. She enjoyed scrapbooking, card-making, flower arranging, and made hundreds of bows for gifts, weddings and other events.
Joan Votava went to be with the Lord on Jan. 1 in Marshall, at the age of 73 years, four months, and 27 days. Blessed be her memory.
Joan is survived by her husband Don Votava of Marshall; daughters Jana Votava (Darwin Towne) of Marshall and Alison Votava of Forest Lake; grandchildren Elise Meseck, Abigail Vogel, Brenna Vogel, Corbin Vogel and Delaynie Vogel; mother Ruth Lee of Balaton; sisters Cheryl (Curt) Friese of Balaton and Linda Ozkan of Solana Beach, California; sister-in-law Julie Lee of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father Robert Lee, Sr., and two brothers, David Paul and Robert Lee, Jr.
George Dubbeldee
Feb. 1, 1924 – Dec. 11, 2019
Mass of Christian Burial for George Dubbeldee, age 95 of Marshall, was 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 16 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Visitation was Sunday, Dec. 15, 4-6:30 p.m. with a CCW Rosary at 4 p.m. and a Parish Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. at Rehkamp Horvath Funeral Home in Marshall. Visitation continued Monday, 9-10 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment with military honors followed the service at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall.
George Arnold Dubbeldee was born Feb. 1, 1924, on the family farm in Marshfield Township of Lincoln County to Richard “Dick” and Anna (Schreurs) Dubbeldee. He was a member of St. Dionysius Catholic Church in Tyler until moving to Marshall in 1995, where he attended Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. George attended rural country school and graduated from Tyler High School in 1941. He farmed with his father and brother until he was called to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. George served with the 27th Infantry Division on Okinawa and was among the early occupation troops in Japan following the war. In November 1945, he was transferred to General Headquarters in Tokyo, where he served as a Staff Sergeant in General Douglas MacArthur’s Honor Guard. He was a part of the security detail at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo until he returned home to the farm on Nov. 15, 1946.
On Aug. 30, 1949, he was united in marriage to Beatrice Drietz at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Wilno. To this union was born a son and three daughters—Richard “Rick,” Debra, Jill and Joy. George was Post Commander and a continuous member of the American Legion in Tyler since 1946. He served on the Tyler Lumber Company Board of Directors and belonged to the Tyler Knights of Columbus. He loved reading, old-time music, playing rolle bolle, horse shoes and watching sports on TV. He especially enjoyed pro football and playing cards at the Senior Center.
George died Wednesday, Dec. 11 at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in Marshall. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Beatrice; children Rick (and Angela) Dubbeldee of Tyler, Debra (and Larry Nielsen) of Stewartville, Jill (and Tom Kuhn) of St. Joseph, and Joy (and Peter Hellie) of Hanley Falls; four grandsons, four granddaughters and two great-granddaughters; sister Gladys (and Ken) Stassen of Faribault; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers—Edward, Lawrence, Melvin and Raymond.
Arrangements were with Rehkamp Horvath Funeral Directors of Marshall.
Ron Borchert
Oct. 13, 1933 – Dec. 13, 2019
Ron Borchert, long-time area coach and teacher, passed away Friday, Dec. 13 at his home in Balaton in the care of his family and Prairie Home Hospice. Private family services will be held, with burial at Lakeside Cemetery in Balaton at a later date. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. The family requests no flowers, but memorials may be made in Ron’s name to the Balaton Historical Society, Tracy Area Animal Rescue, or Prairie Home Hospice.
Ron was born Oct. 13, 1933 in Jordan to Wallace and Rose (Wirth) Borchert, the third of eight children. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith. The family lived in Jordan until 1949, when they moved to Mankato. Ron graduated from Mankato High School in 1951 and immediately joined the U.S. Navy. He served his country honorably as a yeoman aboard the U.S.S. Worcester during the Korean Conflict. Following his discharge, he enrolled in Mankato State University where he met his future wife, JoAnn Tenhoff. They were married Aug. 17, 1957 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Fairfax. After Ron’s college graduation in 1958, they were both offered teaching contracts in Balaton, the town they have called home for over 60 years. Ron spent his entire teaching/coaching career in Balaton and was well-liked and respected by all he came in contact with. Upon retirement, Ron continued substitute teaching and for a 10-year period managed the Tracy Country Club. The Borcherts spent many winters in Arizona, where Ron could indulge in his favorite pastime, playing golf. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, reading, volunteer work, all sports activities and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ron is survived by his wife of 62 years, JoAnn; his children—Steve (Wendy), his best friend and favorite golfing buddy, and their children Karissa, Mark, Ashley, Jeremy and Lauren; Rebecca (Gregg) Bakker and their children Isaac (Kirsti), Eve (Mike Boaheng), Jacob (Stephanie), and Caleb (Rachel); and Sarah (Rob) Sloan and their children Ben and Brady; great-grandchildren Ellis Flies, Lilli and Kelsi Bakker, Isabelle, Abigail, and Christopher Boaheng, and Malakai Bakker. He also leaves siblings Mildred Egan, Alan, Clayton (Mary), Dale, and Pam Brooks. In addition, he leaves sisters-in-law JoAnn and Alice Borchert, brother-in-law Chuck Tenhoff, special grandson Brady Flies, nephews, nieces, former students, players, colleagues and friends.
Ron was preceded in death by brothers Wallace and Curtis; brothers-in-law Jerry Brooks, Gene Tenhoff, and Alan Tenhoff; sisters-in-law Joan and JoAnn Borchert; and great-granddaughter Anni Bakker.
Blessed be his memory.
Dick Johnson
Sept. 28, 1937 – Dec. 5, 2019
Dick A. Johnson, age 82, passed away Dec. 5 in Surprise, Arizona. A Memorial Service was held Monday, Dec. 9 at Yarnell Community Presbyterian Church in Yarnell, Arizona.
Dick was born Sept. 28, 1937 at home in Coon Creek Township. He married Marlys Bruns on July 16, 1960; they made their home in Shelburne Township area. They came to Arizona in 1986.
Dick was preceded in death by his son Dean Johnson in 1988 and grandson Seth Johnson in 2019. He is survived by his wife Marlys of Congress, Arizona; son Jody (Lisa) Johnson of Lake Crystal; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Leigh Swanson
Sept. 22, 1946 – Dec. 3, 2019
Leigh Swanson, age 73 of Russell, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 3. Funeral Services were 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at Grace First Parish in Russell. Interment followed in the Russell Cemetery. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service, 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Grace First Parish in Russell.
Leigh Vale Schuchard was born to Reynold and Edna (Stuefen) Schuchard on Sept. 22, 1946 in Hendricks. She was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical Peace United Church of Christ in Elkton, South Dakota. Leigh graduated from Verdi High School, graduating with the class of 1964.
On Sept. 26, 1964, Leigh was united in marriage to Vernon Swanson at the Evangelical Peace United Church of Christ in Elkton. The couple made their home on a beautiful acreage outside Russell, and raised three children. Leigh was a loving homemaker and mother and helped Vernon raise horses before they moved into Russell in 1998. The couple was married over 55 years.
Leigh was a long-time member of Grace Lutheran Church (now Grace First Parish) in Russell, where she was a Circle member. Her enjoyments in life included time spent at the lake, caring for her flower garden, crafts, turning her garage sale finds into treasures, and supporting her children and grandchildren.
Leigh Swanson passed away Dec. 3 in Tyler, at the age of 73 years, two months, and 11 days. Blessed be her memory.
Leigh is survived by her loving husband, Vernon Swanson of Russell; children— Tara (and TJ) Law of Brandon, South Dakota, Russ (and Nancy) Swanson of Aberdeen, South Dakota, and Troy Swanson of Harrisburg, South Dakota; four grandchildren— Tasha Chapman, Teya Berndt, Rex Swanson and Trinity Law; four great-grandchildren— Briley, Ella, Sophie and Blayke; her special dog Bella; nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Leigh was preceded in death by her parents Reynold and Edna Schuchard, and her brother Dale Schuchard.
Arrangements by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. Guest book and tribute wall available online at www. hamiltonfh.com.
Leila Teeselink
April 2, 1932 – Nov. 19, 2019
Leila Teeselink, age 87 of Tyler, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 19 at Sunrise Manor in Tyler. Visitation was held Tuesday, Nov. 26, 5-7 p.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home in Tyler. Funeral service will be Wednesday, Nov. 27, 10:30 a.m. at Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Holland Cemetery in Holland. Hartquist Funeral Home – Tyler Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. To sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
Leila Teeselink was born April 2, 1932 to Bert and Ida (Terpstra) Tinklenberg in Bemis, South Dakota. She was baptized in May 1932 at the Bemis Reformed Church and attended rural school. She relocated to Edgerton with her family, where she continued her education and graduated in 1950. Leila was united in marriage to Alfred Teeselink on Sept. 24, 1952 in Holland. The couple farmed for a short time near Pipestone before settling in Tyler in 1953. They shared 52 wonderful years together prior to May 30, 2004, when Alfred preceded her in death. On Tuesday, Nov. 19, Leila passed away at Sunrise Manor in Tyler at the age of 87 years, seven months and 17 days.
Leila was a member of Danebod Lutheran Church. She served her church by assisting in the ladies circle, church choir, and volunteering for the church office. She also volunteered for her community by reading to grade school children. Leila enjoyed traveling, working on crossword puzzles and embroidering towels, and most of all, spending time with her grandchildren.
She will be remembered by her children— Deb (Terry) Denney of Ridgecrest, California, Bev (Lloyd) Van’t Hof of Edgerton, Rhonda (Troy) Blomme of Marshall, and Dean (Dawn) Teeselink of Dysart, Iowa; son-in-law Tom Stewart of Rapid City, South Dakota; nine grandchildren— Aimee (Trent) Urban, Wonder (Samantha) and April Marczak, Brett (Alecia), Jayson (Heather), and Dustin (Sara) Van’t Hof, Elijah Teeselink, and Thomas (Beth) and Temple (Kari Simonson) Stewart; 19 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law Theresa Tinklenberg, Wilma VanderZiel, and Beverly (Jay) Pruim. She was preceded in death by her husband Al; her parents; daughter Sandy Stewart; son-in-law Kevin Marczak; grandson Michael Marczak; and two infant brothers.
Joyce Serie
Sept. 12, 1922 – Nov. 22, 2019
Joyce S. Serie, age 97 of Tyler, passed away Friday, Nov. 22 at Sunrise Manor in Tyler. Rosary will be Friday, Nov. 29, 3 p.m. at St. Dionysius Catholic Church in Tyler. Visitation will follow, 3:30-7 p.m. at church with a prayer service and memory sharing at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, Nov. 30, 10:30 a.m. at church. Interment will follow at St. Dionysius Catholic Cemetery in Tyler. Hartquist Funeral Home – Tyler Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. To sign an online registry, please visit www. hartquistfuneral.com.
Joyce Sybil Serie was born Sept.12, 1922 to George and Susie (Mertens) Petersen of Denver Township, Rock County, near Hardwick. She grew up on a family farm with her three older brothers and knew the meaning of hard work at an early age. She was baptized at the Methodist Church in Luverne. Joyce attended a one-room country school, District 49, and later attended Luverne High School. Following her education, she returned home to help on the farm.
Joyce met Luverle Jerome “L.J.” Serie at the Gem Dance Hall in Hardwick. They were married on Oct. 7, 1943, in a small chapel at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where L.J. was stationed with the U.S. Army. They resided in Lawton, Oklahoma and later, Gainesville, Texas. In 1944, Joyce returned home to her parents during L.J.’s deployment overseas. Upon his discharge in November 1945, they came back to Hardwick to farm near the Petersen’s family farm. In the ensuing years, they were blessed with 12 children as they worked the farm to make ends meet. In 1962 they moved to Tyler, and continued on with a dairy farm south of town.
In 1979, they moved from the farm into town, where Joyce worked as a cook at the Kronborg Inn for three years, then as a co-manager and cook for Danebod Village. She retired in 2001, after 18 years of serving the elderly community. In 2009, L.J. and Joyce moved into a Danebod Village apartment. After being blessed with 67 years of marriage together, L.J. died in 2010. Joyce continued living in her apartment until 2013, when she moved to a small apartment in the main building of Danebod Village. On May 3 she entered Sunrise Manor Nursing Home in Tyler, where she passed away on Nov. 22 at the age of 97 years, two months and 10 days.
Joyce was a very active and devoted mother and grandmother, taking many shifts as a daycare grandma! Her cooking and baking skills were top notch, with homemade bread, buns and cinnamon rolls being her specialties! She was an excellent dancer and enjoyed being led around the dance floor in L.J.’s arms. Her love, support and selflessness made her an excellent example as Mom, Grandmother, and Wife.
Joyce had a deep abiding faith in God and a wonderful gift of understanding and forgiveness. The family was blessed for all the prayers she offered for each of us. She was a member of St. Dionysius Catholic Church in Tyler, where she taught CCD and was a member of the CCW group. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Joyce is lovingly remembered by her 12 children— Jerome (Bernadette) Serie of Easton, Maryland, James (Monika) Serie of Lincoln, Nebraska, Susan (Bruce) Slocum of Litchfield, Nebraska, Jeanne (Craig) Norgaard of Tyler, Keith (Kathy) Serie of Tyler, Carole (Ron) Carr of Tyler, Donna (Bryan) Hedlof of Spicer, Mary (Rich) Wiering of Tyler, Paul (Sue) Serie of Mitchell, South Dakota, Connie Freese (Ron Drew) of Baltic, South Dakota, Judy (Duane) Wichern of Tyler, and Jolene (Jamie) Becker of Brookings, South Dakota; 37 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband L.J., her parents, one grandson, and three brothers.
Evan Rogers
July 6, 1955 – Nov. 13, 2019
Evan Rogers, age 64 of Tyler, died Wednesday, Nov. 13 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Visitation was held Sunday, Nov. 17, 4-8 p.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home in Tyler with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial was Monday, Nov. 18, 10:30 a.m. at St. Dionysius Catholic Church in Tyler. Private family interment will be at the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery in New Ulm. Arrangements were entrusted to Hartquist Funeral Home – Tyler Chapel. To sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
Evan Rogers was born July 6, 1955, in Mitchell, South Dakota and was thankful to have been adopted two weeks later by Ralph and Hazel (Laffey) Rogers. He lived with his family in Stickney, South Dakota for the first four years of his life. Following the death of Evan’s father, he relocated with his family to various areas of the country throughout his childhood. These moves exposed him to the Pacific Northwest that always held a special place in his heart. During school, Evan was an avid athlete. Evan graduated from Mapleton High School in 1973, and went on to further his education at the University of Minnesota, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Mortuary Science in 1981.
Once he earned his mortician’s license, he relocated to New Ulm, where he began working for the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home. Here he met Cynthia Schnichels, who just so happened to return to the area for work as well. On Dec. 22, 1984, Evan and Cynthia were married at The Brig in Mitchell, South Dakota. On June 29, 1985, their Nuptial Mass was held at the Church of St. John the Baptist in Searles. The couple made their home in Sleepy Eye, as Cynthia grew closer to the end of her college career. In September 1988, they relocated to Tyler, where Evan began working with the Utoft Johansen Funeral Home. Evan found true meaning through meeting with families and guiding them through their time of loss as a funeral director. Each feeling Evan had, he felt deeply, and empathy was no exception. Evan shared his caring nature with the people and animals he worked with in his next beloved career, which he began in November 1999 with Christensen Farms. He later went on to work at the swine research facility operated by Ralco prior to his retirement in December 2018.
Though work brought Evan and Cynthia to Tyler, the people kept them here. They were blessed to have many great friends with whom they shared their lives together. On Wednesday, Nov. 13, Evan died unexpectedly at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 64 years, four months, and seven days.
Evan believed that we choose our families, and thus is survived by a family beyond counting or fully naming. He will be remembered by his beloved wife of almost 35 years, Cynthia Rogers of Tyler; son Regis (Terra) Rogers of Cincinnati, Ohio and their grandchildren, Regis and Reagan Rogers; parents-in-law Mathias and Avis Schnichels; siblings-in-law Brenda (David) Drill and Phil (Rochelle) Wagner, and six nieces and nephews; dear friends Stacy and Reid Jorgensen; and extended families.
He is also survived by three children, Danielle, William and Melissa; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Hazel and Ralph Rogers.
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