Roger Dean Stephens, age 78 of Sleepy Eye, passed away Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at Sleepy Eye Medical Center. Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Faith United Methodist Church in Sleepy Eye with a livestream available on the Stephens Funeral Service Facebook page. Visitation will be 4:00- 7:00 p.m. Friday at the church, and will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Saturday. Interment will be held at a later date in the Morton City Cemetery. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Roger Dean Stephens was born December 24, 1943 to Arthur and Evelyn (Thoma) Stephens in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. He enjoyed wrestling in school, and graduated from Redwood Falls High School in 1962. On August 29, 1964, Roger married, the love of his life, Karen Joyce Smith in Wabasso. To this union, their daughter Shannon was born. Together, Roger and Karen made their home in Sleepy Eye for 57 years. In his younger years, he was an avid softball player. For 35 years Roger was a lineman for Sleepy Eye Public Utilities. Roger loved to spoil his grandchildren. He enjoyed Western movies, Gunsmoke and Bonanza, his Western shirts and cowboy boots. He loved playing his 5 string Banjo and guitar. He also enjoyed fishing, puzzles and woodworking. Roger made numerous decorative bread boards for his family and friends.
Roger is survived by his wife Karen of 57 years; daughter Shannon (Jeff) Novak of Sauk Centre; grandchildren: Ariel Greenwood (special friend Chase Eckel) of Henning, Dexter Nesburg of Alexandria, Eden Nesburg (special friend Cade Kowalczak) of Duluth, and Hunter & Jorja Novak of Sauk Centre; great grandchildren: Lane, Stetson & Jameson Greenwood, Fiona, Cove & Silas Eckel; siblings: Caren (Lewis) Swoboda, Randy Stephens, and Brad (Sue) Stephens all of Redwood Falls; sister-in-law Ardis Stephens of Redwood Falls; brother in law Sidney (Charlene) Smith of Willmar, sisters in law: Carol Eder of East Bethel & Jean (Mike) Seifert of Redwood Falls and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Ken, brothers-in-law: Larry Read, Rhine Zihlke & Don Eder, sister in law Alice Zihlke, and nephew Ricky Stephens.
