Obituary of Roger Douglas Paurus

Roger Douglas Paurus passed away May 13, 2016, at his home in Menahga, Minnesota due to a three year illness of ALS. He was born June 18, 1940 in Rolla, North Dakota to Walter and Esther Paurus. His family moved to Sebeka to a farm where he spent his childhood. Roger attended country school for eight years at District 219, and then attended Sebeka High School, graduating with the class of 1958. Upon graduation he moved to the twin cities, where he worked as a brick layer, and later became employed at Honeywell in Hopkins. On April 9, 1961 Roger and his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Janice Mattila eloped and were married at “The Little Brown church in the Vale” at Nashua, Iowa. After residing in Blaine for seven years, a move was made to Sebeka on a farm, where they resided for 46 years. They raised beef cattle and Roger worked summers on road construction as a heavy equipment operator until his retirement. Roger’s passion was golfing, which he took up later in life. His proudest moment was a hole in one on October 12, 2000 at Blueberry Pines Golf Course, of which he was a member. He also enjoyed playing Farkel, Cribbage, and Pinochle, with his grandchildren, and he never let them win, beating “Buppa” was a big deal! He loved the land and was a hunter, fisherman,and conservationist. He always liked to plant trees, and has planted many in his lifetime. Roger is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carolyn; daughter Lori (Kent), son Darrel (Kim); brothers: Clayton, (friend Shirley) and Jack (Nancy); grandchildren: Zach, Jake, Lexi, and Amanda, cousins and friends. Inurnment will be held in June at Grace Cemetery.