Roger Dennis Neisen, 56, Mahnomen, MN, died Monday, August 20, 2007, in his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley and surrounded by his family.

Roger was born June 3, 1951, in Mahnomen, MN, to Leander and Elizabeth (Kucera) Neisen. He grew up in Mahnomen, where he attended St. Michael's Catholic School and graduated from Mahnomen High School with the class of 1969. Following high school, Roger furthered his education at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls, MN, earning a degree in Auto Body. He lived in the Minneapolis, MN, area for a short time where he worked as an auto body mechanic. Soon after, Roger returned to Mahnomen and began farming and trucking with his brothers. Neisen Truck Line hauled grain from area elevators to Duluth, MN, and the Twin Cities.

On October 20, 1973, Roger was united in marriage to Carol Konickson in Plummer, MN. The couple made their home in Mahnomen and were blessed with two sons. Roger continued to work hauling grain until 2003, when he was diagnosed with cancer.

Roger will be remembered as a practical joker with a great sense of humor and a hearty laugh. He enjoyed being in the outdoors, whether it was ice fishing, camping, deer hunting or four wheeling. Roger also enjoyed the times getting together with his trucking buddies for picnics and Christmas get-togethers. He liked having coffee with the guys at the Red Apple Café and kicking back to watch TV. During the past few years, Roger and Carol enjoyed taking trips to Idaho, Missouri and Las Vegas. He was also very proud of a quilt he sewed over the winter and kept busy the last few months by assembling models. Roger recently had begun to attend church at First Lutheran with Carol, bringing great meaning to both himself and Carol. Above all, Roger cherished the times spent with his family, friends and the companionship of his cat, P2. He will be greatly missed by many.

Roger is survived by his wife, Carol, of Mahnomen; two sons: Timothy and his fiancé, Kelly Voge, of St. Joseph, MN, and Lucas and his fiancé, Nicole Bloch, of Rice, MN; three brothers: Robert (Ginny), Michael (Debbie), and David "Shorty", all of Mahnomen; and two sisters: Sister Judy Neisen, of Clyde, MO, and Carol (Rod) Farrace, of Clark Fork, ID.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Steven.