Roger VanDenheuvel

The open house celebrating the life of Roger VanDenheuvel of Hewitt will be held on Friday, June 28, at the Community Center in Bertha. Family and friends may gather on Friday at the community center from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in Ansgarius Cemetery in Wood River, WI. Surrounded by his family, Roger passed away at the age of 79, on May 11, 2024, at the CentraCare Hospital in St. Cloud, MN. Roger John VanDenheuvel was born to Joseph and Dorothy (Posch) VanDenheuvel on July 6, 1944, at Belle Prairie Township, Morrison County, MN. Roger attended Freedom Elementary School and continued his education at Little Falls High School. He joined the US Army in October of 1962 and was trained in communications. After his honorable release from the Army Roger started working as a power lineman and joined the IBEW Local 160 Union. He worked through the union traveling to many states to continue his career. Roger had 3 children Sharon, Russell and Sheila when he and Carolyn were married in October of 1974, and made their home in Bovey MN. Work was hard to find so they started traveling as a family in 1982. Roger, Carolyn and the younger children, Kari and Wayne, traveled on this adventure with him, beginning in Montana, then Utah, California and east to Connecticut. They returned to California, and on to Las Vegas and Oregon where Kari and Wayne finished their high school years. Roger and Carolyn continued traveling and made trips back to Minnesota to keep family connections strong. Happy to become grandparents they welcomed the grandchildren with loving arms into their lives. A talented woodworker, Roger built cradles and rocking horses for the grandchildren. He joined a local fishing league and enjoyed trying different lakes and the competition of catching the largest fish. He set up his model trains in the basement and loved to show them off to the kids and grandchildren. After working in the trade for 44, years Roger retired and he and Carolyn made Minnesota their home. Lots of laughter and love made for memorable holidays and special occasions. The family felt blessed, especially to have Roger as a father and husband. Preceding Roger in death were his parents, Joseph and Dorothy; sister, Janice Elbers; brother, Daryl VanDenheuvel and sisters-in-law, Judy and Sharon. Surviving Roger are his wife, Carolyn; children: Sharon (Serge) Andoh of Champlin, Russ (Nancy) VanDenheuvel of Bertha, Sheila VanDenheuvel of Little Falls, Kari (Jason) Parrow of Hammond, NY, and Wayne (Jessica) Of Rockford; 10 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren; siblings: Ronald VanDenheuvel, Eddie VanDenheuvel, Darlene (Jarod) Dunne and Gary (Charlene) VanDenheuvel. Military honors will be provided by Brask Fossum Janke Post 185, American Legion, Grantsburg, WI.

Roger VanDenheuvel

July 6, 1944 - May 11, 2024