Roger died at his home on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. He died after a courageous and unforgiving battle with cancer, at age 73.
Roger Gene Crawford was born in his home in Sheffield, Iowa on October 13, 1939 to Wilbert and Viota Crawford. He received his education there, graduating from Sheffield Community High School in 1958. He served in the US Army. On June 24, 1962 he was married to Cynthia Rohn in the First Methodist Church, Sheffield.
They made their home in Minneapolis, MN and Roger attended Dunwoody Institute studying auto mechanics. He then pursued a career in law enforcement. He graduated from the Minnesota Highway Patrol Officer Candidate School on June 7, 1968. He began his duties as a Minnesota State Trooper in July in Minneapolis and then moved to Austin where he worked, and then he purchased their home of 27 years in Albert Lea, where he spent the rest of his career. While living in Albert Lea, he was an active member of First Lutheran Church, Sertoma, Jaycees, and other various clubs and organizations. He retired from the State Patrol in July 1995.
During his career as a State Trooper he was a First Aid Instructor, Fire Arms Instructor, Accident Reconstructionist , Safety Education Officer, and Road Trooper. He wore his uniform proudly and loved his career as a State Patrol.
A quote from his autobiography written in 1966:
“I would like to make the most out of life that is possible for me. Not by having to work every possible minute, but to have time to be with my family, for a hobby, time to visit friends and relatives. And most of all to be happy in what I am doing so that I can make my wife and family happy. In ten years I would be satisfied to have a good name made for myself in whatever I am doing.”
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Cindy, three daughters, Beth Gonyou and her husband Manuel of Oklahoma, Amy Crawford, of Ellendale and Molly Neumann and her husband Loring of Owatonna, six
grandchildren: JuliaAnne, Thomas and Garrett Nelson of Oklahoma, Tanner, Payton and MaKenna Neumann of Owatonna, his guardian and aunt Lezonna Jensen of Sheffield, brother Jay and wife Jane Crawford, of Iowa City, sister Marcia husband Roger Etnier of Sheffield, their children Joel Etnier and wife Megan of Alden, Iowa , Jill Kolars and husband Sam and family of Ankey, mother in law, Betty Rohn of Mankato, brother in law Ron and wife Lavonne Rohn of Mankato, and their daughters Noelle Busch and husband Jaimie and family, and Mandy Jacoby and husband Mark and family, all of Mankato, and numerous relatives and wonderful friends.
Roger is preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Wilberta, son, William Fredrick, guardian/uncle Herb Jensen, father-in-law, Fred Rohn, and his grandparents.
Visitation will be at Bonnerup Funeral Home in Albert Lea, MN, Friday, November 2 from 4 to 7 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 3 at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea with Pastor Sandy Miller officiating at 3:32 p.m.