A. Roger Thingvold, 66, Minot, formerly of Barton, died Saturday, July 5, 2008 in a Minot hospital.

Roger was born December 29, 1941 in Rugby, ND the first born of Alfred and Bernadine (Ryding) Thingvold. He was reared on the family farm in South Valley Township in Rolette County and educated through the 8th grade at South Valley Consolidated Township School. Roger was very active in the local 4-H Club, raising both steers and heifers. He graduated from Rugby High School in 1959, where he was active in the local FFA Chapter, serving as a chapter officer. He was selected to represent North Dakota in the National FFA Chorus and was honored with the ND State Farmer Award in 1959.

Following high school, Roger enrolled in the State School of Forestry, Bottineau and transferred to Minot State Teachers College in 1960. In 1961, he enrolled in Gale Institute in Minneapolis and graduated from a four month course in Early Computers, the "IBM Punch Card System" .

Roger was united in marriage to Anita Uran on February 9, 1963. This union was blessed with 4 daughters. They made their home in Rugby, Minot and lastly Tioga, ND, where he was employed as a salesman for Blikre Motors.

Roger had a passion for music, greatly influenced by his grandfather, Rudolph. Following years of practicing and performing as a youth, Roger formed a country western/old time band called "Cindy and the Turtle Mountain Boys" in the winter of 1966. He was active in the band for the next 24 years, playing almost every weekend at various venues in ND.

He was united in marriage to Carol Hanson on October 8, 1970 in Bottineau. This union was blessed with 2 children. They made their home in Anamoose and Maddock, where he was employed as fertilizer plant managers until his retirement.

Roger moved to Minot in 1999, where he actively pursued his love of music and established many friendships. Over the years he volunteered with many service organizations and was a member of the Blue Grass and Ol' Time Music Association of Minot.

His loving family includes: children - Brenda M. (Cletus J.) Kraft, Devils Lake, ND; Bette (Kirk) Shipley, Felton, MN; Becky (Cary) Longie, Tioga, ND; Deb (Drake) McClelland, Tioga, ND; and Arden Thingvold, Cando, ND; grandchildren -Tyson Kamp, D.J. Martin, J.R. (Becky) Shipley, Seth Shipley, Levi Shipley, Kellen Longie, Kass Longie, Kobie Longie, Karter Longie, Kiana Longie, Emmy LeRohl, Eden LeRohl, Denyse McClelland and Aiden Thingvold; great-grandchild - Davis Shipley; sisters - Susan Sande, Kalispell, MT and Marge (Jerry) Saude, New London, MN; Brother - Tom (Sharon) Thingvold, Barton, ND; and several nieces and nephews.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Sara Jane; brother, Bernick Thingvold; and brother-in-law, Curt Sande.

Funeral Service: A private family service will be held.
Visitation: Wednesday, July 9, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: To the family or the Blue Grass and Ol' Time Music Association of Minot.