ROLAND DeFEYTER

Roland Daniel DeFeyter, of Giese, passed away on January 12, 2024 at the Benedictine Care Center in New Brighton, MN, surrounded by his wife and four children.  He was 94 years and 6 months old.

Roland Daniel DeFeyter was born July 10, 1929 to James and Edith (Johnson) DeFeyter in Quamba, MN. The family moved to McGrath MN in 1946 when his father bought a business, which became DeFeyter’s Garage.

He attended McGrath school and graduated in 1949. He had various jobs before he joined the MN National Guard and was called to serve from January 1, 1951 through October 15, 1952.  He married Ruth (Henkel) on October 13, 1951. After returning from his military service, he continued to work at Honeywell and lived in Northeast Minneapolis where they raised their four children.

Roland retired in 1989 after working at Honeywell for 39 years.  He and Ruth built their new home on the former property of Ruth’s parents in Giese, MN. He spent his retirement taking care of the farm, golfing, fishing, relaxing at the cabin on Mille Lacs Lake, and enjoying time with his thirteen grandchildren and many other family and friends. They lived there until 2019 when they moved to New Brighton, MN.

Roland will be fondly remembered by his family and friends as a caring man who gave his time freely and helped others when needed.

He is proceeded in death by his parents James and Edith DeFeyter, brothers and sister-in-law Robert and Gloria DeFeyter, and Roger Payne(sister Mary’s husband)

Roland is survived by wife Ruth DeFeyter; children Patricia (Craig) Shelstad, Karen (Rob) Derr, Nancy (Bill) Karkula, John (Jodi) DeFeyter; grandchildren Stephanie (Chris) Piche, Bryan (Beth) Shelstad, Daniel (Amber) Shelstad, Cara Dovenmuehler, Erich (Lauren) Dovenmuehler, Kevin (Sidney) Derr, James Derr, Troy (Dana) Karkula, Elizabeth (Aaron) Karkula, Erin (Ben) Peterson, Renee, Jay and Reid DeFeyter; and fifteen great-grandchildren; sister Mary Payne; many other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church at Giese.

Memorial Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

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