Roger Stecker

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. on Friday, August 10, 2012 at The Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Maple Grove, MN.VISITATION : 9:30-11:00 A.M. at the church on Friday.SURVIVORS : His wife , Barb of Park Rapids, MN; his children, Tom (Jan) of Maple Grove, MN, Paul (Tiffany) of Rockford, MN, Chris (Mitch) Kruger of Ramsey, MN and Joe (Jen) of St. Michael, MN; 9 grandchildren: Sam, Max, Colton, Lily, Anna, Mandi (Andrew) Opdahl, Nick, Ashley and Alyssa; one sister and one brother. ROGER STECKERJune 29, 1941 ~ August 4, 2012 Roger K. Stecker, age 71 of Park Rapids, MN, passed away Saturday, August 4, 2012 at his home surrounded by his loved ones following a courageous nine month battle with cancer. Rog was born on June 29, 1941 to Knowlton and Phyllis (McGlenn) Stecker in Minneapolis, MN. He attended DeLaSalle High school where he was the Vice-President of the Class of 1959 and a member of the State Championship Basketball Team. A mutual friend introduced Rog to the love of his life, Barb Hatch. It was love at first sight. Roger and Barb were united in marriage on June 30, 1962 and the young couple made their home in Golden Valley, MN. Their union was blessed with four children: Tom, Paul, Chris, and Joe. After a successful career in construction, Rog went on his own operating as Stecker Construction, which later became Stecker & Sons as the boys were able to join the team. The company was primarily involved in remodeling homes and building additions and decks. Deer hunting was Roger"s passion and he was instrumental in passing that on to his children and grandchildren. Although there are many hunting and fishing stories, one of the most memorable occurred on the way home from a successful fishing trip to Canada - the car encountered a moose, everyone escaped unscathed, except the moose. He was involved in his children"s activities and sports, encouraging and offering advice as only a father can. In 1991, Rog and Barb moved to their recently remodeled home on Boot Lake. Roger continued to do odd jobs for his neighbors and friends. He was a member of St. Margaret Mary"s Catholic Church in Golden Valley. The Stecker family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of his caregivers, especially the 3 chemo ladies at Essentia Health. Roger was an honest man of integrity who was devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren. He will be dearly missed. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 50 years, Barb of Park Rapids, MN; his children, Tom (Jan) of Maple Grove, MN, Paul (Tiffany) of Rockford, MN, Chris (Mitch) Kruger of Ramsey, MN and Joe (Jen) of St. Michael, MN; 9 grandchildren: Sam, Max, Colton, Lily, Anna, Mandi (Andrew) Opdahl, Nick, Ashley and Alyssa; one sister; one brother and a host of friends. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, August 10, 2012 at The Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Maple Grove, MN. Visitation will be held from 9:30 A.M. until the time of service at the church on Friday. Memorials are preferred.