Roger Fred Rhen

Roger Fred Rhen, 71, of Tenstrike, died Saturday, July 25, 2009 at his home.

Funeral Services will be 1:00 pm, Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at the Cease Family Funeral Home, 2807 Irvine Ave NW, Bemidji, MN with Pastor Gary Jorgenson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. A gathering with food and beverages will follow the service at the 71 Bar & Grill, Turtle River, in celebration of Roger’s life. Interment will be at Augustana Cemetery in Clearbrook, MN on Thursday at 2:30 pm.

Pallbearers will be Terence Rouland, Shawn Rhen, Mark Smith, Tim Useldinger, Bret Rhen, and Vern Rhen.

Roger was born May 3, 1938 to Erick Verner “Vern” and Myrtle Viola (Holm) Rhen in Clearbrook, MN. He was raised and educated in Clearbrook, graduating from Clearbrook High School in 1956.

He began as an apprentice bricklayer in 1955. He was a journeyman bricklayer working in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana until his retirement. He was proud to have received his Gold Card for 50 years in the bricklaying trade.

Roger married JoAnn Jurgens on August 1, 1959 in Leonard, MN. They lived in Leeds, ND for several months and then moved to Grand Forks, ND where they resided for nine years. In 1968 they moved to East Grand Forks, MN where they lived for 30 years. In 1998 they move to their retirement home on Gull Lake, north of Bemidji.

He deeply loved and thoroughly enjoyed his family and friends. He was actively engaged in the lives of his grandchildren, cheering them on in their sporting events and enjoying their musical and dramatic endeavors. He created a wonderful retreat for his children, grandchildren, and family at his home on Gull Lake.

He is survived by his wife JoAnn of Gull Lake; 4 Children- Rosalynd (Steven) Gander of East Grand Forks, MN, Chad (Michelle) Rhen of Alexandria, MN, Turk (Isabel) Rhen of East Grand Forks, MN, Nicole (John) Riley of Hugo, MN;10 grandchildren- Thomas Gander, Johnathan Gander, Isak Rhen, Nina Rhen, Patrick Bailey, Lovisa Rhen, Dane Rhen, Nobel Rhen, Molly Riley and John “Sully” Riley; sister, Vivian (Robert) Rouland of Clearbrook, MN, 2 brothers Merlyn “Punk” (Nora) Rhen of East Grand Forks, MN, and Charles (Sue) Rhen of Fort Wayne, IN; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com.