Roger James Otteson, 55, Ryder, died Wednesday, October 4, 2006, in a Minot hospital after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Roger was born on October 15, 1950, to Olav and Agnes (Gustafson) Otteson, in Minot. He was raised in Berthold and Ryder. Roger attended the Ryder public school.

As a young adult, Roger helped many farmers in the Ryder areabefore starting employment at Great Plains in Ryder . He was united in marriage on February 17, 1971, to Marlene Mead in Minot . He entered the North Dakota National Guard and received an honorable discharge in November of 1976. Roger began working for Ryder Farmers Union Oil in 1972 and later became manager in 1990.

Roger was always "on the go" and after a full day of work he could be found still helping farmers combine or whatever needed to be done. Roger was a member of the Ryder Presbyterian Church in Ryder, American Legion Post 99, served as a board member for the Ryder Credit Union and was very active in the Makoti Threshing Show.Roger's favorite past time was working in his garage and sharing time with his buddy, Harlan Skarphol , restoring old tractors. After a fresh snowfall, he could always be found pushing snow to open the roads around town and made sure the church parking lots were open.

Roger always had time to visit with family and friends, they all meant the world to him.

Roger is survived by his wife of 35 years, Marlene; three daughters, Melissa (Jay) Hansen of Ryder, Shelly (Rick) Sherven of Parshall, Angie (BJ) Lafreniere of Cottage Grove, MN; five grandson s , Jayden, Blane, Blake, Coltyn and Hunter; two brothers; one sister; numerous nieces and nephews; his dogs, Charlie and Suzie, and his cows!!

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother.

Funeral Service: Monday, October 9, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. in Lewis and Clark North Shore Elementary School Auditorium, Ryder, ND;
Interment: Rosehill Cemetery, Ryder, ND;
Visitation: Sunday from noon - 5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot