Roger John Hughes, age 70, of Plummer, MN, died Friday, September 6, 2013, surrounded by his wife and the wonderful caregiving staff of McIntosh Senior Living in McIntosh, MN. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Plummer, MN with Pastor Jonathan Dodson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday at the church. Burial will follow at a later date at the Finnish Cemetery in Plummer, MN. Roger John Hughes was born on December 18, 1942 to Arnold and Bertha (Thompson) Hughes in Backoo, ND. After his senior year he enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1962. He was stationed out of San Diego, CA, on the USS George Clymer. In January of 1965, with an honorable discharge, he returned home to Cass Lake, MN, where his parents owned a lake resort and he later met and married Connie Ellis on August 15, 1965. They have two children, Brad and Tori. In 1969, Roger graduated from Hibbing Area Technical College earning a two-year degree in Auto Mechanics. He made use of his degree for many years working at his own garage in Plummer, Northern Motors in Thief River Falls, and numerous other mechanic work. He ended his working career, due to health issues, as a crane operator for Olaf Anderson Construction Co. out of Fargo, ND. He was the crane operator for the building of the Ralph in Thief River Falls. In his earlier years he also helped his dad farm. Roger had served on the church council, was a former Lion's Club member - (tail twister) and a member of the Legion Club for 44 years. He loved bird watching and feeding them from the bird feeder he built, fishing trips with Don and guys, all yard work and gardening, splitting many semi loads of logs for his wood stove, and loved to deer hunt. He always especially liked the first day of hunting as they all gathered at Dean's house for the morning coffee break. He did a lot of walking and bike riding with his dog "Boots" by his side. Roger is survived by his wife, Connie of 48 years, and children Tori Schindler (Jon Belcher) of Baxter and Brad Hughes (special friend Myrna) of Wannaska; grandchildren, Nicholas and Jadyn Schindler and Jax Belcher; sisters, Priscilla Stark of Newman Lake, WA and Mary Ellen (Tom) Kutz of Plymouth; nieces, Gayle Karol, Holly Burns, and Julie Hobson; nephews, Mitchell, Matthew, Joshua, Jeremiah and Benjamin Stark and Danny Kutz. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Bertha Hughes, and niece Rachel Stark. Although there is a certain peace within us all knowing Roger's suffering with Alzheimer's disease for 10 years has ended, our memories of him will live on in our hearts forever.