March 19, 1935 - Nov. 20, 2007
BIRD ISLAND -- Richard Roker, 72, of Bird Island died Tuesday at his home.
The service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Bird Island. Burial will be in the Palmyra Methodist Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Dirks-Blem Funeral Home in Bird Island and for one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. Memorials are preferred to Rice Hospice.
He was born March 19, 1935, in Norfolk, Neb., to Elmer and Eldora (Duehn) Roker. His father died when he was 5 years old. He moved with his mother to Hector to be near family. They lived with his uncle, Fred Duehn, on a farm near Hector. He graduated from Hector High School in 1952 and farmed with his uncle. He served in the U.S. Army Infantry Honor Guard from 1955 to 1957. He returned and farmed.
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He married Phyllis May on August 30, 1959, in Lincoln, Neb. They lived and farmed near Bird Island.
He was a member of the Bird Island United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Minnesota State Mule Club, the Fairfax Saddle Club and a past member of the Bird Island Farmers Elevator.
He is survived by his wife; son: Jon (and Karen) Roker, of Bird Island; his daughter: Janelle Roker, of Fairmont; two grandchildren; and his uncle: Fred Duehn of Hector.
