Feb. 1, 1947 — April 2, 2017
Funeral services for Roger Farland will be celebrated on Monday, April 10, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Swea City with the Rev. Sam Belz officiating. Burial will be in the Harrison Township Cemetery. Visitation will be 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, April 9, 2017, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Swea City.
Roger Alan Farland was born in a blizzard on Feb. 1, 1947, in Fairmont, Minn., the son of Edwin and Viola (Vigdal) Farland. He grew up on the family farm near Swea City and was driving tractors by the age of 7. He graduated from Swea City High School in 1965 and he began farming with his father until Ed retired in 1974. He and Karen continued the farming operation and Ryan joined them in 1996.
On Feb. 10, 1973, Roger married Karen Nelson in Welcome, Minn. After their marriage they lived on the family farm near Swea City. Karen was his right hand woman. Through his farming years, Roger helped with his parent’s milking operation and raised hogs in addition to the crops. The fall harvest and combining corn was his favorite time of year. On Nov. 12, 2016 he finished his last harvest. He had a special love for the Lord and farming.
Roger enjoyed crop gazing in the Ranger with Bailey at his side, attending Farm Fest and farm auctions. In his early years he enjoyed fishing, car shows and vacationing with his family in Yellowstone National Park. At home you’d find him watching Gunsmoke and Little House on the Prairie or listening to the Forester Sisters. He was a friend to many and enjoyed visits with them at all the local establishments.
Roger died Sunday, April 2, 2017, at the Mayo Clinic Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minn. He was 70.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Farland of Swea City; children, Shannon and Ed Goche of Bancroft; Ryan and Erin Farland of Swea City; Haley and Jozhue Palone of Sacramento; eight grandchildren, Madisyn, Grant, Garrett and Gavin Goche; Kayla and Wyatt Farland, Avianna and Maximo Palone; and a brother, Richard and Jan Farland of Potomac Falls, Va.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Kenneth Farland, in infancy and James Farland; sister-in-law, Hiroko Olsen; brothers-in-law, Jerry Westberg and Doug Nelson and his beloved pet, Bailey.
Arrangement is being handled by Oakcrest Funeral Services. Condolences may be left at www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.