On Saturday, May 27, 2017, Roger Dean Danielson, 70, a lifelong rural Chatfield, Minn., resident, died suddenly enroute to the hospital of a massive heart attack.
Roger was born February 16, 1947, in Preston, Minn., the ninth child of Elnor and Myrtle (Olson) Danielson.
Roger was a 1965 graduate of Lanesboro High School. He served in the MN Army National Guard from May 21, 1966 to January 13, 1970, training at Fort Jackson, S.C. in the 1st Battalion 135th Infantry – Expert M-14 Rifle.
Roger was united in marriage on November 22, 1969, to Linda Mickelson at the Whalan Lutheran Church. They had three children Troy, Jason and Kari.
He was a dairy farmer prior to opening Danielson Sand & Gravel and was employed at the Lanesboro Public School until his death.
He enjoyed playing cards, four-wheeling, TV westerns, Vikings, deer hunting and his kids’ and grandkids’ sporting events. He was very caring and helpful to everyone and his talents also found himself being the family handyman. He could repair or fix whatever he was given.
He was an active member of the Pilot Mound Lutheran Church and served as president for numerous years, as well as vice-president of the United Lutheran Parish. Roger was a member of the Lanesboro American Legion Post #40.
Roger is survived by his beloved wife, Linda, of 47 years; sons: Troy (Laurie) Danielson and Jason Danielson, both of Chatfield, Minn.; and daughter Kari Apenhorst of Stewartville, Minn.; two grandchildren, Dayton and Brynn Danielson; five sisters: Darlene Sutherland, Chatfield, Minn.; Marlys (Elvin) Paulson, Rushford, Minn.; Marilyn (Richard) Lykken, Waseca, Minn.; Gloria (Nevin) Vrieze, Fountain, Minn.; Linda (Thomas) Jensen, Tex.; and sister-in-law Marge Danielson, Grand Meadow, Minn.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: DeLoyce, Vernon (Jackie), Gerald and Robert; sister Phyllis (David) Ellis, and brother-in-law Bruce Sutherland.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 1, 2017, at Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro, Minn., from 5-7 p.m. and continue one hour prior to the service on Friday at church.
Funeral service will be held at Pilot Mound Lutheran Church, rural Chatfield on Friday, June 2, 2017, at 1 p.m., with Rev. Sarah Walker-Brown officiating. Burial will be in the Pilot Mound Lutheran Cemetery with Military Honors provided by Lanesboro American Legion Post #40.
Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a memory of Roger, please visit www.rileyfuneralhomes.com.