Roger DeVries, age 73, of Marshall, Minnesota, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at his home. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. Following a reception, interment will be in the St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery in Balaton, Minnesota. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday, March 6, 2023, also at the Hamilton Funeral Home. The evening will conclude with a Memory Share at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will then continue, one hour prior to the service, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of his service at 10:30 a.m.
Roger Eugene DeVries was born on August 8, 1949, in Marshall, Minnesota. He was the son of Johannes and Ella (Buchert) DeVries. He attended school in Marshall and graduated with the high school class of 1967. Roger then went on to continue his education at the Vocational College in Canby. After graduating in 1969, he spent a couple years serving with the police reserves in Marshall and began farming.
On October 6, 1970, Roger was united in marriage to JoAnne Meulebroeck in Green Valley, Minnesota. The couple made their home on the farm for many years and raised three children: Kristi, Kelly, and Mike. Following his divorce in the mid-1990s, Roger began Roger DeVries Repair and served as a diesel mechanic for several years while working full time elsewhere.
After years of writing back and forth to the Philippines, Roger was married on May 21, 2004, to Marlyn Maglinte in Marshall. The couple made their home outside of Marshall in the home that Roger designed and built. He was proud to install the first geothermal system in Lyon County and enjoyed his efficient home for many years to come. He and Marlyn would frequently return to visit her family in the Philippines, spending at least a month there each year. He thrived on a sense of adventure and exploration overseas as the couple traveled.
Roger was a private person and a hard worker; his temper often sparked determination. Most recently he had spent the last 20 years at Speedee delivery and was proud of his work ethic evidenced by several years of perfect attendance. Roger was also a history fanatic and spent many hours enveloped in war books and movies. His enjoyments in life included substitute teaching in Canby with the diesel mechanic program, attending Oliver tractor shows, going out to eat, taking a ride with the dog, and assigning unique nicknames to those closest to him.
Roger DeVries died peacefully on March 1, 2023, at his home. He had reached the age of 73 years, 6 months, and 21 days. Blessed be his memory.
He is survived by his wife, Marlyn DeVries of Marshall; children, Kelly Caron of Marshall, Mike (and Kim) DeVries of Tyler; 8 grandchildren, Dustin Krause and (fiancé Michael Jo Koch) of Tracy, Brittany (and Dustin) Johnson of Ruthton, Mike Stillo of Marshall, Joseph DeVries of Tyler, Ellie DeVries of Tyler, Grace DeVries of Tyler, Jacob DeVries of Tyler, Hannah DeVries of Tyler; 2 great-grandchildren and another on the way, Joanne Krause, Anastasia Oney; 3 siblings, Mavis (and Kenny) Schultz of Marshall, Marlis Gladis of Tracy, Dean (and Sandy) DeVries of Story City, IA; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kristi DeVries; brother, Darrel DeVries; son-in-law, Kurt Caron.