Ted DeRoode

Ted DeRoode, age 83, of Ghent, Minnesota, died on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Memorial Services are 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall, Minnesota. Burial will be in the St. Eloi Catholic Cemetery in Ghent, Minnesota. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at KB’s Ballroom in Ghent, Minnesota. The evening will conclude with a Memory Share at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will then continue one hour prior to his service, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. on Friday, at Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall.

On July 7, 1941, a baby boy was born in a room above Ted's Bar in Ghent, Minnesota. Later christened Theodore John DeRoode, he was the last of Mary (Dero) and Theodore DeRoode's children and the beginning of a new branch on the DeRoode family tree.

Ted grew up in Ghent, wild and free. Tales from childhood include running from a pastured bull, winter camping, and burying a box of treasure only to later lose it when a construction project that straightened the 'crick' made the treasure map moot.

He attended St. Eloi school through the 8th grade and then Central High School in Marshall, where he met his first wife, Joan Bulowski. They married in February 1960 and together raised three children.

That marriage ended in 1981. Ted then met the love of his life, Nancy (Larson) Bagley, and married her in September 1983, merging families.

Supporting his family, Ted worked at a wide variety of jobs - selling pans door to door, building bins, driving forklift at MDI, owning a beer distributorship, selling seed corn, managing a cold storage unit, driving bus and working for the Minnesota State Lottery.

Always very civic-minded, Ted served as Ghent's town cop, councilman, volunteer fireman, and, for many years, mayor. He was an active member of the Belgian American Days committee, which planned and raised funds for the annual town celebration. In that capacity, he was part of a group of ballerinas that performed at a variety show and included Pat Byrne, Tom Bot, Virgil Wenker and Joe Illies.

Ted enjoyed a vast array of hobbies and interests. His deeply religious side was nurtured by prayer and worship. He attended Gold College classes in History and Genealogy. As a member of Mustang Boosters, he attended SMSU athletic events of all types. He was a member of the woodworking, painting and Table of Knowledge clubs. He regularly walked miles at the YMCA. As a lifelong Twins Fan, he spent hours watching and listening to games and just recently visited Spring Training Camp in Florida with his son. Ted also loved to bake, and his cowboy cookies won first place in a YMCA competition.

Hunting and fishing were passions, and Ted shared these interests with his children and grandchildren and many other children he met in life. Going fishing with Ted at the cabin was a highlight for countless kids.

Ted passed away April 4, 2025, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD holding hands with loved ones. He reached the age of 83 years, 8 months, and 28 days. Blessed be his memory.

Ted is survived by 5 children, Karen (John) DeRoode of Ghent, Lisa (Steve) Tykwinski of Ghent, David DeRoode (Wendy Knutson) of Crystal, Rachel Bagley of Ghent, and Chad (Sue) Bagley of Minneota. Also bereft are grandchildren, Daniel Marron, Neal Tykwinski (Jordan Fowlkes) Sean Marron, Bridget (Travis) Lein, Drew (Courtney) Tykwinski, Emma (Brytton) DeRoode-George, and Theo DeRoode (Jorey Cruikshank). Ted was also the proud great-grandfather of Rhett Wimmer of Fargo, ND, and Lily Tykwinski of Fredericksburg, VA.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Nancy; parents; brothers, Robert DeRoode, John DeRoode; and sisters, Marion Wignes, and Nellie Byrne.