Roger Allen Eilertson

Roger Allen Eilertson, 78, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, died Friday, February 27, 2015 at Ecumen-Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Roger was born on September 28, 1936, the son of Albert and Myrtle (Braaten) Eilertson in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He was raised and educated in Audubon, Minnesota, graduating from Audubon High School in 1954. As a young man he worked for his father's excavating business. Roger was united in marriage to Claudia Johnson on June 22, 1957 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Audubon, MN. They made their home in rural Audubon, and he began selling home remodeling products for a company out of Fargo, North Dakota. In the mid-1960s' Roger started Eilertson Construction which he owned and operated for forty years. During that time he remodeled approximately fifteen hundred homes. He later worked for Stenerson Lumber for a brief time and also sold real estate for Jack Chivers Realty. Roger and Claudia moved from Audubon to a home Roger had built in Detroit Lakes in 2003. Roger served on the board of St. Peter's Church for many years, was active with the school board and the booster club in Audubon, and was an avid supporter of his children's grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's school and sport activities during his life. Roger was active with the Republican Party and took great pride in meeting Governor Tim Pawlenty during his term. Roger enjoyed woodworking, painting, and watching baseball and NASCAR. He was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren. Roger was a man of strong faith and truly enjoyed time spent with his family. Roger is survived by his children, Dean (Patty) Eilertson of Detroit Lakes, MN, Kimberly (Steven) Klongerbo of Lakeville, MN, and Brian (Carmen) Eilertson of Atlanta, GA; nine grandchildren, Nicholas (Maggie) Eilertson, Kirk (Christina) Eilertson, Lindsy (Blake) Jacobus, Leesa (Joe) Lindgaard, Brady (Mariah) Eilertson, Tiffany (Jeff) Wendt, Tara (Justin) Mack, Jenna (Paul) Kelly, and Bodie Eilertson; seventeen great-grandchildren; siblings, Arlene Schooley of Meza, AZ, and Robert (Carolyn) Eilertson of Audubon, MN; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Claudia (2004), grandson, Craig Eilertson, and brother, Gary Eilertson.