Roger Freeman Bratvold

Roger Freeman Bratvold

Born: December 10, 1930

Died: January 17, 2015

Roger Freeman Bratvold, 84, died peacefully at his home in Clearbrook, MN on January 17, 2015.

A Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Clearbrook, MN, with Reverend Bob Kirchman officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 23, 2015 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bagley, MN and one hour before the service at the church. Interment will be at the Greenwood Lutheran Cemetery in Clearbrook, MN. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley assisted with the arrangements.

Casketbearers will be Darren Bratvold, Ervin Lussier, Clayton Strong Sr., Lucas Bratvold, Tanner Lene and Rodney Skoe.

Honorary Casketbearers will be Lester Johnson, Stephen Strong, Clayton Strong Jr., Christopher Wright, Jeffery Needham, Nicole Maxwell, Floris Strong, Kussundra Wright, Jessica Chunn, Ramona Maxwell, Veronica Kingbird, and Karen Granzien.

Roger was born at home on December 10th, 1930 in Greenwood Township in Clearwater County, MN to Oscar and Della (King) Bratvold. He was raised in Clearbrook, MN and was educated in a rural one-room school. He also spent part of his childhood in Seattle, WA before returning to Minnesota.

Roger proudly served in the US Army from 1951-1953 during the Korean Was as an Engineer. He was stationed on a US Navy ship in the Arctic Circle. While stationed near St. Louis, MO he performed Honor Guard duties. He was honorably discharged and had previously been a member of the American Legion.

He married Ruby Maxwell of Red Lake, MN on August 27, 1970 in Milbank, SD. They had seven children and made their home in Red Lake, MN. The family later moved to Clearbrook, MN.

Roger had various jobs throughout his life. He was a dairy farmer, logger, trucker, bartender, ironworker, grain elevator worker, farm hand, carpenter, and also worked at the saw mill in Redby, MN for many years. He was a backhoe and heavy equipment operator at Clearwater Rice from 1978-1994 when illness forced him into retirement.

He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, and trapping. He still cherished the yearly hunting season, shooting his last 2 bucks in 2013 at age 82. He also enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, camping, Sunday family dinners and picnics, listening to polka, classic country, and old time music, reading, and spending time with family. He was an excellent handyman and could repair anything as he was skilled in plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work. He stayed active through his last day despite illness and was also a cancer survivor. His family and friends enjoyed visiting and listening to stories about his life. He was hardworking, strong, and persistent. He was a good, honest man with the highest integrity who lived by his values. Roger will be missed dearly by many people.

He was survived by his wife – Ruby Bratvold of Clearbrook, MN

Daughters – Luanne (Clayton) Strong of Redby, MN; Michelle Maxwell of Bemidji, MN; Crystal Wright of Clearbrook, MN; Debra Bratvold of Bemidji, MN; Laurel (Ervin) Lussier of Red Lake, MN

Son – Darren (Karen) Bratvold of Clearbrook, MN

Sister-in-law – Arlene Bratvold of Minneapolis, MN

Brother-in-law – Lester Johnson of Clearbrook, MN

Daughter-in-law - Ramona Maxwell of Red Lake, MN

Ten Grandchildren and several great grandchildren and a great great grandchild.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers – Roy and Orville (Joyce) Bratvold; Sister – Delores Johnson, Son – Edward J. Maxwell and Son-in-law – Daniel Wright.

A Special Thank you to the Bemidji and Fargo Veterans Administration Health Care Staff for the excellent care they provided to our beloved husband and father.