Roger V. Harp

Roger Vernon Harp, 86, Cromwell, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2017 at the Villa Vista Care Center, Cromwell.  He was born on March 10, 1931 in Cloquet to Eleanore Wells Edstrom.  He proudly served as a Boatswain Mate 3 ^rd Class aboard the USS LST 1041 during the Korean War.  He married his sweetheart, Ramona Beverly Maki, on November 26, 1960 and they made their home in Cromwell where they raised their three sons.

Roger worked as a wheelsman on the Great Lake's carrier ships eventually ending up at the International Multi Foods Elevator where he worked until his health forced an early retirement.  In Roger's words, "he had a good life" enjoying dancing, bowling, horseshoes, cribbage, traveling, wintering in Kissimmee, Florida, and time spent with family and friends.  He was the Horseshoe Pitcher of the Year in 2007.  Roger had a special love of farming and enjoyed making hay on the family farm.

Roger was a volunteer on the Cromwell Fire and Ambulance Department for over 40 years and one of the first in the department to achieve an EMT status.  He proudly served on the Cromwell Harvest Fest Committee, Cromwell City Council, Cromwell School Board, and Forest Hill Cemetery Association.

Roger was preceded in death by his mother, Eleanore Wells Edstrom, Theodore "Ted" Wells, whom Roger fondly referred to as "Dad Wells", his brothers: Warren Wells, Dale Wells, and Gary Wells.

Roger will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years, Ramona; his sons: Craig (Margy) of Cromwell, Todd of Lakeland, and Ryan (Mitzi) of Hastings, and his eight beloved grandchildren: Angel, Bryce, Kalee, Tim, Sam, Alex, Cole, and Abbi; Aunt Evelyne Johnson of McGregor; sisters: Lorna (Bert) Dincau of Mountain Lake and Helen (Larry) Johnson of West Plains, MO; brother: Gale (Betty) Harp of Redwood Falls, MN.  He was also survived by a large and loving extended family including numerous nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, and cousins.

Roger will be fondly remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, proud US Navy Veteran, and endless story teller.  A very special thanks to the wonderful caretakers at the Villa Vista Assisted Living, St. Croix Hospice, and to the many family and friends who filled Roger's life with love, laughter, and continuous support when Roger became ill.

Visitation will be on Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 1:30 PM until the 3 PM Funeral Service in Bethany Lutheran Church, 5660 Highway 210, Cromwell.  Pastor Pat McCormack will officiate.  Bill Haapoja will provide the music.  Casket Bearers will be Bryce Harp, Kalee Harp, Sam Harp, Alex Harp, Cole Harp, Abbi Harp, Greg Bridge, and Bogdan Anderson.  Cromwell Ambulance and Fire Department will provide an Honor Guard.  Burial with Full Military Honors will be provided by Floodwood VFW Post #8299.

Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.