Roger W. Girdeen, age 86, a lifelong resident of Ellsworth died peacefully, Friday, March 22, 2024 at the Ellsworth Health Services Nursing Home. Roger was born on November 2, 1937 in Red Wing, Minnesota; the son of Oscar and Della (Bystrom) Girdeen. He was raised in Ellsworth attending Lindgren Elementary School prior to graduating from the Ellsworth High School in the class of 55’. He would meet a young woman, and together, they courted and built and friendship that would last a lifetime. On September 18, 1959, he was united in marriage to Alvina Nelson at the Covenant Church in Red Wing. This union would be blessed with six children Brian, Tammy, Randy, Mike, Kurt, and Troy.

Roger worked over thirty-two years for the Ellsworth Creamery as a cheese maker. He took great pride in his work at the creamery and the business they built up with their cheese. At the same time however, he was a farmer at heart. It brought him the greatest satisfaction tending to the cattle or jumping on his John Deere and cultivating the fields. He made sure he didn’t miss a nearby estate auction either, as he longed for a great deal on a tractor or spreader. He enjoyed time spent in the fall deer hunting in Salem Township with the boys and cheering on his beloved green and gold Green Bay Packers. He took much pleasure in a Sunday drive with Alvina throughout the countryside to see how the local farmers were doing and to compare their crops, or a trip to Menards. Quite easily the one thing that brought the biggest smile to his face was all the teasing and fun he had when his grandchildren were over.

Roger will forever remain in the hearts of his wife of sixty-four years Alvina; children Brian (Denice) Girdeen, Tammy (Larry Caturia) Girdeen, Randy Girdeen, Mike (Holly) Girdeen, Kurt (Steph Wright) Girdeen, Troy (Penny) Girdeen; grandchildren Mark (Anne), Jeff (Gina), Kayleen (Lance), Pete, Ross (Shelly), Quinn, Presley, Adam (fiancée Ta’Ja), Matthew, Charles (Fiancée Kate), Benjamin, Eli, Kallie ((fiancé Chris), Mike, Steph and Joe; great grandchildren Eva, Otto, Blake, Kaitlin, Connor, Celia; brother Jim (Debbie) Girdeen; as well as many other relatives and countless friends. He is preceded in death by his granddaughter Toni; brother Rolland Girdeen; and sister Rochelle (Robert) Johnson.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00-4:00pm on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at the Bluffs Bar & Grill, N1833 785th St., Hager City, WI 54014. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Ellsworth Health Services and St. Croix Hospice both who helped give dignity and grace in the last journey of his life.

Cremation services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth, https://oconnellfuneralhomes.com, 715-273-4421.