Roger Donek

Roger J. Donek, age 55, of Harding, MN, passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at his home in Pulaski Township following a heroic battle with cancer. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, January 30, 2010, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Harding, MN, with Rev. David Maciej, Rev. Roger Thoennes and Rev. Cathie Rhodes officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. Friday, January 29, 2010 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with a Parish Prayer service at 5:00 P.M. followed by Holy Name Society Rosary at 6:00 P.M. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday one hour prior to the service. Roger John Donek was born on February 8, 1954 in Little Falls, MN the son of Herb & Janeice (Litke) Donek. He grew up on the Donek family farm in Pulaski Township where he resided at the time of his death. He attended Harding Elementary and graduated from Pierz High School, Class of 1972. He was united in marriage to Lynn Dombovy on August 12, 1978 at St. John's Catholic Church in Lastrup, MN. The couple made their home on the family farm in Pulaski Township. Farming was his life. He started farming at age 13. He loved his land and working with his animals and maintaining his machinery. He enjoyed collecting and driving his muscle cars. He was proud of his music ministry at church. He loved to pick his guitar with the Harding Guitar Group. He was devoted to his faith and church. Young people meant a lot to Roger, especially his niece, nephews, neighbor kids and his farm hands. Roger loved working with his neighbors during the planting and harvesting seasons. He will be remembered for his original sense of humor and infectious laugh. Most people in the community were the recipient of one of his practical jokes at one time or another. He was also the first person to help out anyone who was in need. He will be cherished as a husband, brother, uncle, friend and neighbor. He was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Holy Name Society and the Harding Guitar Group. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Lynn of Harding; sister, Ruth (Paul) Norberg of Harding, MN; niece, Robyn (Roger) Galbreath of Harding; nephews, Russ (special friend, Tina) Norberg of Harding, MN, Tony and Bryan Dombovy of Soldotna, Alaska; great-niece, Shelby Galbreath; great-nephew, Mark Galbreath; mother-in-law, Marie Dombovy of Harding; sister-in-law, Denise (Buck) Janson of Eagle River, Alaska; brothers-in-law, Dennis (Lynn) Dombovy of Harding, MN and John (Patty) Dombovy of Soldotna, Alaska and many other relatives, friends and neighbors. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Herb & Janeice (Litke) Donek; grandparents, John & Catherine Donek and Alfred & Blanche Litke.