Roy Roppe, 87, died on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at the Veterans Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, January 3, 2009 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Newfolden, MN with Rev. Curtis Matz, officiating. Burial will follow at Opdahl Cemetery, New Maine Township, Marshall County, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Newfolden, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM Saturday at church.

Roy Sanford Roppe was born February 8, 1921 in Ulen, MN the son of Richard and Sara (Thorson) Roppe. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith in Middle River, MN and attended country school in East Park Township.

Roy was united in marriage to Laura Larson on December 14, 1944 in Newfolden, MN and a few days later, Roy entered into service with the United States Army where he served in Japan with the military police. He was Honorably Discharged in 1946 and returned home to Laura and their farm in New Maine Township. To this union three children were born, Karen, Geraldine and Orland. Roy and Laura continued to live and farm throughout their lives in New Maine Township.

He enjoyed playing horseshoes and whist, fishing, gardening, dancing and just living life on the farm.

Roy was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Newfolden and was currently the oldest member of the Newfolden American Legion Post 427.

Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Laura of Newfolden; two children, Geraldine (Richard) Dalbey of Atlanta, GA and Orland (Laura) Roppe of Moorhead, MN; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Jerry) Henderson of Atlanta, GA, Nicholas Roppe of Lake Park, MN, Jillian (Scott) Smith of Canton, GA, and Gretchen (Lance) Johnson of West Fargo, ND; two great grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Lauren Henderson; brother, Ervin Roppe of Washington; sisters-in-law, Joan Roppe of Newfolden and Lorraine Roppe of Fargo, ND; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Karen in infancy; and brothers, Bert, Thorfen, and Wallace.