Ivan Roggenkamp

Ivan John Roggenkamp, of Brainerd, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on August 31, 2017, just 3 days after his 90th birthday. He is now reunited with his 11 brothers and sisters and his “Ma and Pa” who all preceded him in death. Ivan was born August 28, 1927 on the family farm in Bluffton Minnesota. He was the ninth of 12 children born to Joseph and Veronica Roggenkamp. He was the last surviving sibling and the only one to reach the age of 90.

Ivan met Irene Neisess at a dance in Wadena in 1945 when they were 17 and were married 3 years later. They would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in February. They moved to Brainerd in 1959, built a home on the Mississippi River and lived there 57 years until Ivan got sick in 2016. He loved hunting and fishing with his brothers, but his favorite hobby was music. Ivan grew up in a very musical family and learned to play guitar at a young age. Roggenkamp family gatherings were – and still are – filled with music. Ivan was a truck driver for most of his life – he loved to drive and took great pride in his vehicles. After his and Irene’s retirement in 1983 they took to the road in their RV and traveled around the country, usually ending up in Texas for the winter. They loved attending music festivals and jam sessions and made many new friends.

Ivan will be greatly missed by his wife of 69 years, Irene, daughter Pattie Roggenkamp (Marty Posthumus), Monticello; sons Dave (Lori) Roggenkamp, St. Cloud; and Tim (Cindy) Roggenkamp, Crosslake. Granddaughter Amy (Justin) Schulz; Grandsons Joel Roggenkamp, Kyle (Lisa) Roggenkamp; Jake (Amber) Roggenkamp. Great grandsons Emmitt Schulz and Jack Roggenkamp, Great granddaughter Emily Roggenkamp. Step-Great Granddaughters Lileah and Jayla and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his daughter JoAnn, his parents, and 11 siblings: Connie, Ray, Syl, Rene, Al, Beata, Louie, Art, Harvey, George and Lee.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Alzheimer's Association. Contact the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter for details on how to donate.

Visitation one hour prior to funeral service. Interment at Evergreen Memorial Gardens immediately following the funeral, with a luncheon served at church afterwards.