Roger Roy

Roger L. Roy, 86, Detroit Lakes, MN, died Tuesday, January 20 at Innovis Hospital in Fargo, ND. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Sunday, January 25 at First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, Reverend Wade Dutton, officiating. Interment services will be 9:00 AM Monday, January 26 at Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes. Friends may call 3:00 – 6:00 PM Saturday, January 24 at David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes and at the church one hour prior to the service on Sunday.

Roger L. Roy was born July 21, 1922 in St. Hilaire, MN to Paul and Ella (Johnson) Roy. He was raised and educated in St. Hilaire, graduating as salutatorian in the class of 1940. He attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, Bemidji State University in Bemidji, MN and was graduated from the University Of Minnesota in 1943 with a degree in Mortuary Science. Roger served his internship with Gulbranson Funeral Home in Thief River Falls, MN. He was united in marriage to Helen Howick, August 20, 1944 in Thief River Falls.

After being rejected for military service during WW II, he purchased Hanson Grocery in Detroit Lakes and operated the business as Rog Roy Grocery for 19 years. In 1963, they purchased the Hartz store in Detroit Lakes and operated that business as Rog Roy Food Market for 10 years. He sold the business in 1973 and continued to work for his successor who changed the name to Rog Roy Jack and Jill. He retired from the grocery store in 1983.

Rog was a member of First Lutheran Church and served on the church council several times. He was active with the Detroit Lakes Chamber Of Commerce, the Eagles and Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He was also a volunteer driver for the Becker County D. A. C. and for meals-on-wheels for over 22 years. In 1994, he was selected as Becker County Senior Citizen of The Year. Helen died February 5, 2000.

Survivors include a son, Jim (Beth) of St. Paul, MN; two daughters, Mary Roy of Eagan, MN and Ginny (Bob) Grobe of Chaska, MN; three grandchildren, Nicole (Matt) Faulkner of St. Paul, Savannah Grobe of Chaska and Christopher Roy of St. Paul; a great- granddaughter, Lauren; two brothers, Sidney (Joan) Roy of Eveleth, MN and Jim (Ruth) Roy of Walker, MN; several nieces and nephews. Rog is also survived by his special friend, Margaret Mayfield of Detroit Lakes.