Roger M. Haukland

HAUKLAND

Roger M.

Age 86 of Afton

Passed away on March 22, 2023.

Roger grew up in North St Paul and throughout his long years was a devoted husband, son, Dad, Grandpa & Great-Grandpa. In 1967 he married Marie and together they raised five girls.  Throughout his years, Roger enjoyed family camping trips in Minnesota State Parks, and taking trips out west to Montana and the Black Hills. Most recently was a trip to see Devil’s Tower, which was a “bucket list” item he fulfilled.  Roger was a guy who always wanted to be busy and had many hobbies and activities he enjoyed.  He was a fan of nice cars & pickup trucks (that went fast) – and keeping all the vehicles he owned showroom clean.  He enjoyed going to polka dances & polka fests – many hours were spent at Gibbon, Bird Island, the Withrow Ballroom and The Majestic, dancing the night (and days) away to so many different bands, with the favorite being The Wee Willie Band. Roger was an avid gardener, liked puzzles (but only when there were a few pieces remaining), was a backyard bird-feeding enthusiast; he also liked watching the Green Bay Packers, going to the local YMCA, watching movies without commercials, and was a constant presence at the local library and instilled a love of reading to his daughters.

Roger was someone who knew his own mind….and even at the end, he always knew what he wanted and did not want.  And even though he was a man of few words – the words he did say were always worth hearing.  And if you got the little smile with the eye crinkle in response to something that you said, you knew what you said was funny.  Roger was someone who always wanted to be busy – you knew this, because in addition to all the hobbies, after working and retiring from West Publishing after 43 years of service, 3 months after that retirement he found a new gig working at Woodbury Lutheran Church for another 19 years which was “the best job I ever had because I didn’t need it.”  At the end of it all, Roger Haukland was a great husband, father, son, grandpa, and “Grandpa Gigi.”

Preceded in death by parents, Peter & Nina Haukland and grandson, Kevin Manship. He is survived by his wife, Marie; children, Bev (Jim) Manship, Sue, Lori (Ralph) Davis, Noreen, and Cynthia; grandchildren, Amanda, Michelle, Sara, TJ, Justin, Katie-Lynn; and great grandchildren, Stella, Soren, Maebel, Colt, Emmie, Owen, Harley, Axel, Sean, Natalie, and Harvey.

Funeral service 11am Tuesday, March 28 at Woodbury Lutheran Church, 7380 Afton Rd., with visitation one hour prior. The service will be live-streamed and available here. Special thanks to the staff at Artis Senior Living of Woodbury and Hospice of the Midwest.

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