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MADELIA -- Mass of Christian Burial for Roger A. Wehner, age 77, of Madelia, Minn., formerly of Fairmont, Minn., will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Fairmont, with military honors by Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post 36 and Martin County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1222. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont, and one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Fairmont.
Roger passed away Monday evening, July 25, 2022, at Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center in Mankato, Minn. Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.
Roger Anthony Wehner was born July 28, 1944, in Minneapolis, Minn., and was lovingly adopted as an infant by John Wehner and Elizabeth (Maday) Wehner. He was raised with his three siblings on his parents' dairy farm in Silver Lake Township. He attended Fairmont Public Schools, participating in FFA and was an FFA officer. He was an accomplished gymnast, finishing fourth at state and third at nationals on the pommel horse. He graduated from Fairmont High School with the class of 1962. Roger enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1962, completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He was stationed at Fort Sill, Okla. as a Specialist Four serving as Company Clerk for the 163rd Transportation Company, Personnel Specialist for the 184th Ordnance Battalion, and as Headquarters Clerk. He was honorably discharged in September 1965. On Aug. 8, 1970, Roger married Joyce Kotewa at Holy Family Catholic Church in East Chain, Minn. Roger and Joyce lived in Tyler, Minn. Roger graduated from Southwest Minnesota State College in 1972. Roger and Joyce moved to Cordova, Alaska, where he was a high school business teacher for a short time. They settled back in Fairmont, where Roger worked as the Chief Deputy County Auditor. Roger and Joyce welcomed five children, Jason, Rachel, Jennifer, Roxanne, and Jonathan. Roger entered Fountain Lake Treatment Center on Feb. 10, 1978, for treatment of alcoholism. He has remained a proud and active member of Alcoholics Anonymous, having forty-four years of sobriety. Roger was training to be a chemical dependency counselor in Albert Lea, Minn., when his wife, Joyce, passed away unexpectedly in June 1981. Roger married Ann Izen on Oct. 21, 1983, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Fairmont. They welcomed two children, Ryan and Rana, to the family. Roger and Ann operated a Group Family Child Care business out of their home. Roger was the Site Supervisor for Mankato State University's Prairie Lakes Extended Campus in Fairmont, until he retired in January, 2000. Following his separation, Roger relocated to Madelia, Minn. In 1991, Roger reunited with his birth mother, Geraldine (Cox) Erickson. Roger was honored and humbled by the gift of this reunion. Roger tackled many home remodeling/carpentry projects and enjoyed detailing cars, viewing classic cars, listening to 50s and 60s music, traveling, and the occasional opportunity to get back in a combine or tractor. He took great joy in being a grandfather and enjoyed family events and activities. He was known for his sense of humor and dad jokes.
Roger was diagnosed with cancer in June 2021. He received treatment and care from Minneapolis and St. Cloud Veteran's Hospitals, Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center and Moments Hospice. Roger is survived by his children, Jason (Kara) Wehner, Rachel (Scott) Moeller, Jennifer (Rod) Angell, Roxanne (Mark) Wehner, Jonathan (Jenna) Wehner, Ryan (Kim) Wehner, and Rana (Rick) Nelson; grandchildren, Vespa and Magnus Wehner, Calvin, Olivia, and Will Moeller, Skylar Angell, Kallysta Palomino, Charlotte and Penelope Patridge, Emilee Lewis, Hailee and Jackson Wehner, Aurora Wehner, and Bennett, Winston, and Archer Nelson; sisters, Shirley Craig and Donna (David) Riggs; Edward Erickson and Mary Bourdin, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Elizabeth Wehner; his stepmother, Mary Wehner; birth mother, Geraldine Erickson; wife, Joyce Wehner; brother, Robert Wehner; brother-in law, Glen Craig; and Ron Erickson. www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net