Roger Thooft

Roger Thooft was born March 31, 1959 to E.R. “Gene” and Agnes (Lanoue) Thooft in Marshall, Minnesota. He grew up the third child of eleven children on the family farm in Island Lake Township, rural Russell, Minnesota. He was baptized, received first communion, and confirmed at St. Eloi Catholic Church in Ghent, Minnesota. He attended school in Russell and graduated in 1977. He continued his education at Granite Falls Vo-Tech in Sales and Management. He then worked for Christiansen Implement and Schwan’s in Marshall, Minnesota. He then moved to Sanborn and worked for Sanborn Manufacturing. He was united in marriage to Andrea Trebesch on April 26, 1980. Their union was blessed with one daughter Deanna. He later married Katherine Flesner on October 20, 1984. Their union was blessed with four children, Christopher, Tarah, Kandyce, and Bradley. The couple made their home in various places around southwest, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Iowa. Roger was self employed and owned and operated “Thooft Handyman Services” for many years, He was known and specialized as an excellent roofer. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September of 2010. He continued to work while receiving treatments. He was under hospice care through Ridgeview Hospice and died Monday, October 3, 2011 at Tyler Healthcare Center at the age of 52 years, 9 months and 2 days.

Roger enjoyed his life work with his hands. He loved to make children happy, play cards, driving his unique vehicles, rummage sales, and especially enjoyed time spent with his children, grandchildren, and family.

Roger is lovingly remembered by his six children, Deanna (and Michael) Thompson of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, Christopher (and Tori) Thooft of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Tarah (and Kelsey) Cook of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Kandyce Thooft of Lennox, South Dakota, Bradley Thooft of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Roxanne Thooft of Minneota, Minnesota; 9 grandchildren, Alexa, Noah, Serenity, Jonathyn, Brooklyn, Ashtyn, Kayleigh, Jennifer, and Kaden; parents, E.R. “Gene” and Agnes Thooft of Tyler, Minnesota; special friend, Billiejo Hunt of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; 9 siblings, Diane (and Dan) Vercruysse of Tyler, Minnesota, Yvonne (and Mike) Sontag of Minneota, Minnesota, John (and Lorie) Thooft of Marshall, Minnesota, Duane (and Judy) Thooft of Arco, Minnesota, Margie Heard of Rapid City, South Dakota, Bernard (and Marcia) Thooft of Brush, Colorado, Francis (and Sherry) Thooft of Beaver City, Nebraska, Daryl Thooft of Marshall, Minnesota, and Joyce (and Keith) Louwagie of St. Joseph, Minnesota; many nieces, nephews, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents; brother, Timothy Thooft; and a nephew, Stephen Vercruysse.

“It’s not goodbye, it’s so long until we meet again.”