Royal Lynn

Royal Charles Lynn was born on July 4, 1934 to William and Mabel (Passig) Lynn on the family farm in Pipestone County, Minnesota. Royal was the youngest of eight children and early on in his childhood, he and his family moved to a farm near Verdi, Minnesota. While growing up, Royal attended Verdi High School where he played basketball and helped with farming. He graduated high school in 1952 and proceeded to work at the State Hospital in St Peter, MN. The following year, Royal married the love of his life, Donna Bartelt, on September 20, 1953, in Elkton, South Dakota. 

In 1954 Royal and Donna moved to the family homestead to farm and raise their six children. Royal continued to farm for the next 56 years. In addition to farming, he drove school bus for Verdi and Lake Benton schools. Royal also enjoyed a career as a cross-country trucker which took him across the US. One of his favorite loads to haul was honeybees.

Royal was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, Minnesota. He was also a member of the Lions Club. He and Donna wintered in Mesa, Arizona for 28 years. Royal had a deep love for dancing – especially with Donna. One of Royal’s favorite past times was speaking with people. He had the ability to strike up a conversation with anyone and anywhere he went. Royal will be remembered for his boisterous voice – a voice that sang ‘The Cowboy Song’ and “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles” to his children and grandchildren. Royal adored his family, especially grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was always willing to give advice to those who asked him and even to those who didn’t. 

Royal passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at the age of 90. He and Donna were blessed to have celebrated 72 years of marriage.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Donna Lynn of Lake Benton, Minnesota; his children, Stephen (Paula) Lynn of Verdi, Minnesota, Debra (Brad) Behr of Edina, Minnesota, Diane (Glenn) Hudson of Elephant Butte, New Mexico, Sandra (Steve) Hauer of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Susan (Mark) Ellenbecker of Anchorage, Alaska, and Amy (Paul) Rolland of St. Peter, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren, Eric Lynn, Jennifer DeBaere, Sarah Kronbach, Elizabeth Behr Rossi, Alex Behr, Andrea Hudson, William Hudson, Melinda McKay, Matthew Hauer, Evan Lynn, Lauren Ellenbecker, Jordann Boerboom and Cole Rolland; and 16 great-grandchildren, Sophia Oerter, Owen Oerter, Wyatt Kronbach, Kaelynn Kronbach, Jared Lang, Hallie Lang, Jasper Behr Rossi, Kathryn Brown-Hudson, Johnny McKay, Jakey McKay, Oliver Hauer, Kasen Lynn, Ledger Boerboom, Harvey Boerboom, Teddy Rolland, and Baby Rolland (due May 2025). Royal was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mabel Lynn; sisters, Lois David, Wilda Rydell, Lucille Odam and Carol Broughten; brothers, Wayne, Dale and Ralph Lynn; and grandson, Eric Lynn.