Roger Grangruth

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 5th 2010 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN.VISITATION : one hour prior to the service at Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN.INTERMENT : will be made in the Green Valley Cemetery north of Menahga.SURVIVORS :Roger will be lovingly remembered by his wife for these past 47 years, Margaret of Menahga; his son, Ivan (Shelly) Grangruth of Cambridge, MN; his two daughters: Renee Smith of Park Rapids and Roxanne (Shawn) Mattila of Menahga; his ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; three sisters: Theresa (Kenneth) Hill of Menahga, MN, Vida Lukkanen of Alexandria, MN and Martha Nelson of Cloquet, MN; two brothers: Carl (Beatrice) Grangruth of Moose Lake, MN and Bill (Janice) Grangruth of Carleton, MN; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. ROGER KENNETH GRANGRUTH June 22, 1940 " May 1, 2010 Roger Kenneth Grangruth, age 69 of Menahga, MN, formerly of Floodwood, MN was unexpectedly ushered into Eternal Life in the early morning hours of Saturday, May lst, 2010 at the St. Joseph"s Hospital in Park Rapids with his loved ones at his side. Roger was born on June 22, 1940 in the small town of Williams of Lake Of The Woods County in the northern most part of Minnesota to Herman and Lydia (Johnson) Grangruth. At six months of age, baby Roger nearly died from a very aggressive case of double pneumonia; but, God had other plans and the little one recovered and thrived. At one year of age, his family moved to Menahga, MN where Roger attended the Upwood Country School near his home. As a young boy, Roger began working in the woods where he became skillful at felling, limbing and hauling logs. As his strength and stamina grew, Roger became very good at loading railroad boxcars by hand with newly cut pulp logs. As a young man, Roger enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard where he proudly worked hard to prepare himself to defend his country. In the early 1960"s, Roger learned the craft of sandblasting and worked for many years for the Marjama"s in Minneapolis in this trade. On November 17, 1963, Roger married the prettiest little red head in all of Menahga, Margaret Amelia Suvanto. This union was blessed with three children: Ivan, Renee and Roxanne. The Grangruth family made their home in Menahga for many years. In the early 1970"s, Roger began trucking grain throughout the upper mid-west. In 1976, he moved with his growing family to the Floodwood, MN area where he continued his trucking career hauling pulpwood. In 1993, Roger and Margaret returned to Menahga where they have resided right up to the present time. He loved the Northern MN out of doors; especially when he could be out hunting deer or fishing for Northerns and Crappies with his family. He was a loyal Minnesota Vikings and Twins fan who win or lose was always cheering them on. He loved people and enjoyed making them laugh by telling a clean joke or story. His son, Ivan called him long distance everyday to hear his dad"s "Joke of the day". Above all, Roger devoted his entire life to his precious wife and soul mate, Margaret; his three dearly loved children, his ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren who he was very proud of and loved with all his heart. Roger will be lovingly remembered by his wife for these past 47 years, Margaret of Menahga; his son, Ivan (Shelly) Grangruth of Cambridge, MN; his two daughters: Renee Smith of Park Rapids and Roxanne (Shawn) Mattila of Menahga; his ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; three sisters: Theresa (Kenneth) Hill of Menahga, MN, Vida Lukkanen of Alexandria, MN and Martha Nelson of Cloquet, MN; two brothers: Carl (Beatrice) Grangruth of Moose Lake, MN and Bill (Janice) Grangruth of Carlton, MN; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Roger was preceded in death by his parents; l sister, Thelma Warren and 4 brothers: Willmar, Clifford, Armas and Erland. Funeral services will be held 11 AM on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga with the Dick Jorgenson officiating. Casket bearers will be his grandchildren: Derek Grangruth, Tye Grangruth, Zach Grangruth, Samantha Grangruth, Casey Smith, Misty Smith, Skylar Smith, Cassie Skoog, Bria Mattila and Devin Mattila. Interment will be made in the Green Valley Cemetery north of Menahga. The Guy L. McDermeit VFW Post #6206 of Menahga, under the direction of Willie Davis will provide Military honors. A luncheon will be hosted by the Guy L. McDermeit VFW auxiliary following the service. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the services on Wednesday.