Gary Lee Rogers

GARY LEE ROGERS September 22, 1941 - June 11, 2014 Gary Lee Rogers, age 72, of Menahga, MN, entered eternity in the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 11, 2014 with his loved ones at his side after fighting a valiant battle against kidney disease for these past 3 ½ years. He died at the Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, MN. Gary was born on September 22, 1941 to Leo and Carrie (Pritchett) Rogers on his parent's farm in Todd Township north of Park Rapids, MN with his Aunt Winkie serving as the midwife. As a boy he attended the District #11 Country School near his home through the 5th grade. He then went on to attend the Park Rapids Public Schools, graduating from the Park Rapids Public High School with the Class of 1959. As a young man he engaged in farming with his dad where he enjoyed caring for their fine herd of dairy cattle and working long hard days out in the fields. In the winter he enjoyed working in the woods logging and also working with the family sawmill business. During Gary's early years, much of the farm work and logging was done with a team of horses as they did not purchase their first tractor, a 2236 McCormick until the 50's. On November 28, 1970, Gary was united in marriage to the prettiest gal in Hubbard County, Connie Rae Bliss at the Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids. Shortly after their marriage, the young couple ventured to Minneapolis where Gary gained employment driving a garbage truck for ten years. He enjoyed the adventure of hunting for hidden treasure each day on his garbage route. He was always amazed at what people would throw away. In 1979, Gary began working for Super Valu as a maintenance engineer at their warehouse in a career that spanned over 25 years. In August of 1996, Gary and Connie purchased a farm east of Menahga and he looked forward to playing weekend warrior at the farm doing the work he loved. He retired in 2007 and enjoyed spending his retirement years on the farm. He treasured investing as much of his time as possible in his precious grandchildren and getting together with his brothers as much as he could. He enjoyed tinkering with and fixing anything mechanical and loved to hunt white tail deer with his family. Above all, Gary devoted his life to his wife, children, grandchildren and siblings and loved them with all his heart. He is survived by his precious wife for these 43 years, Connie; his son, David (Nichole) Rogers of Minneapolis; his three daughters: Teresa (Dwayne) Hills of Buford, SC, Carolyn Pfeifer of Menahga and Beth (Oneray) Grant also of Menahga; ten dearly loved grandchildren: Justen Rogers, Cassaundra Rogers, Amber Loken, Michael Rogers, Samantha Pfeifer, Alleathea Pfeifer, Dalas Rogers, Arianna Grant, Oneray Grant and Andrew Fultz; four siblings: Dale Rogers of Park Rapids, Darla Miklavcich of Hibbing, MN, Leon Rogers of Park Rapids and Susan Steinke of Osage; a sister-in-law, Rita Rogers of Park Rapids; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Gary was preceded in death by his parents; his older brother, Walter and his brother-in-law, Gerald Miklavcich. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Saturday, June 14, 2014 at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Menahga with the Reverend John Ramsbacher officiating. Ruth Kinnunen will be the organist. The casket bearers will be: Dale Rogers Jr., Brian Rogers, Oneray Grant, Andrew Fultz, Chad Rogers and Tom King. The honorary casket bearer will be grandson, Justen Rogers. Following the service a luncheon will be hosted at the church. Visitation will be held from 5 PM to 7 PM Friday, June 13th at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga and again for one hour prior to the services at the Redeemer Lutheran Church on Saturday. To view the video tribute or to leave on line condolences please visit www.cardinipearson.com.