Paul James Rogers, age 60, passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in rural Reading, MN. He was born on March 28, 1963, in Worthington, MN, to parents Bill and Mary (Glynn) Rogers. He grew up on the family farm outside of Reading, graduated from Worthington High School in 1981, and earned an associate degree from Worthington Community College.
On May 4, 1985, Paul married Debra Ann Moede in Worthington, Minnesota. The two made their first home in the little blue house in Reading, Minnesota, before moving to their forever acreage northwest of Reading in 1991. They had three daughters: Danielle, Megan, and Emily, who they raised to be incredible young women. He could be found in the stands at many of their events, helping with 4-H and FFA projects, checking over homework, or just eating ice cream at home before bed.
Paul was a man who loved the land; he was engaged in farming with his family and spent many hours every hunting season with his friends and family, always looking for the biggest buck or the quickest coyote. He took to the field by playing on the Wilmont Cardinals Baseball team and on a Wilmont men’s softball league. Paul spent many years as a school bus driver for Bud’s Bus Service and a charter bus driver for Reading Bus Lines. He served his community on the Summit Lake Township Board (with many years as its chairperson), as a director on the Nobles County Fair Board, and as a member of the Reading First Responders.
Paul and Deb have spent many years traveling to see their daughters and grandchildren or with friends to escape the Minnesota winter in a warmer part of the world. They also enjoyed escapades on the golf course, trying their luck at a casino, Wings Wednesday and pinochle night, a cold beer and good conversation at the brewery. Paul was one of a kind – a man who could do anything. He was one of the hardest workers you had ever met, an incredible family man, a loyal friend, and someone who would genuinely go above and beyond to help others. If you know Paul, your life was a little better and a little brighter each time you crossed paths.
Paul leaves behind many that loved him beyond words; he is survived by the love of his life and best friend, his wife of 38 years, Deb. He was the best Dad to their three girls Danielle, Megan (Jake) Montag and Emily (Cody) Blehr, and the best Papa to seven grandchildren; Heyden, Avery, Olivia, Hank, Evelyn and Tucker Montag, and Wyatt Blehr. He is also survived by his father; Bill; siblings Steve (Kami), Kim, John (Lisa) and Mark; brothers-in-law Dwayne (Sharon) Moede, David (Denise) Moede and Daryl Moede; his many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary; his granddaughter Hope Blehr; and his in-laws Wally and Ruth Moede.
Funeral services were on Monday, June 5, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Wilmont, MN, with Monsignor Richard Colletti and Deacon Vern Behrends officiating. Readings were provided by Lisa Rogers and Giftbearers were Heyden, Avery, and Olivia Montag. Pallbearers were Zach Lewis, Cody Lewis, Jordan Lewis, Tyler Rogers, Stuart Rogers, Blake Rogers, Nolan Rogers, and Ben Rogers. Honorary Pallbearers were John Schettler, Bruce Kingery, Daryl Sibson, Joel Joens, Todd Rogers, Tim Rogers, and Jeff Rogers. Burial was in the Summit Lake Cemetery near Reading, MN.
Benson Funeral Home in Worthington was in charge of the arrangements.
