Roger Priewe

Roger Neal Priewe, 78, of rural Lake Park passed away on January 22, 2020 at home under the care of Hospice.  He was born August 18, 1941, in Hunter, ND, baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Arthur, ND, and confirmed at Martin’s Lutheran Church, Casselton, ND. He grew up on a farm near Amenia, ND and attended country school District #28 until 8th grade and Amenia High School until graduating in 1959.  He farmed with his dad until entering the Army National Guard in 1964.  Due to his father’s heart attack, he was honorably discharged and returned home to run the family farm.

On September 26, 1964, Roger was united in marriage to Joyce Monson at Little Norway Lutheran Church, rural Fertile, MN.  They made their home near Gardner, ND and Amenia, ND where he owned dairy cattle, before moving to Casselton, ND.  Roger worked at Siouxland Dressed Beef in West Fargo and then moved to their farm near Lake Park, MN in 1969 where they dairy farmed and later raised hogs. He planted his farm into several varieties of evergreens and in 1998 started a “Cut Your Own” Christmas tree business. On February 1, 1988, he went to work at Team Industries (Audubon Engineering) for 17 years and retired April 29, 2004.  During this time he also owned and operated a tree moving business and vending route. During retirement, Roger developed the tree farm property into residential lots.

Roger was a very compassionate, genuine, and caring man.  He could strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and, 30 minutes later, still be talking and laughing like they had known each other for years.  His smile was contagious, and he lived life to the fullest.  His lifelong passion was beekeeping, and he also enjoyed politics, basketball, travel, reading, and good food. Roger always loved spending time with his kids and grandkids.

Roger is survived by his wife Joyce, son Steve of Plymouth, MN, daughters Rhonda (Tim) Sweeney, of Lake Park MN, and Rachel (Jason) Gerber of Maple Grove, MN; 7 grandchildren, Chealsie (Zach) Daniel,  Kaylie Sweeney, Jade Arntson, Faith Arntson, Paige Arntson, Owen Gerber and Ava Gerber; four great grandchildren, Payton Seifert, Alora Seifert, Hadlee Sweeney and Kyler Daniel.  Also surviving are two brothers Clayton (Kathy) of Mesa, AZ and Chet (Karen) of Burnsville, MN along with many nieces and nephews.   Preceding him in death were his parents Hugo and Myrtle (Quaife) Priewe.

Visitation will be at Cormorant Lutheran Church, rural Lake Park, MN from 5:00 - 6:30 PM on Friday, January 31 with prayer service at 6:30 PM and 1 hour prior to the service on February 1 at 11:00 AM.