Roger William Lupke

Roger William Lupke, 76, of Rochester, MN died Tuesday October 6 at his home due to complications of Lewy Body Dementia. Roger was born Sept. 23, 1939, in St. James, MN. His parents were William Frank Lupke and Fern Hester Lupke (Wright). Roger spent many of his youthful years on the Watonwan County farms of his numerous uncles and aunts. As a young man he worked as a farmhand for Jim Jacoby of Odin, MN. Roger maintained a lifelong love of farming, tractors, cows and discussing the weather report. In the 1990's, Roger moved from St. James to Owatonna, MN where he had fond boyhood memories of living at the Minnesota State Public School. The Owatonna community took Roger into their hearts and homes, and he settled in for years as "Downtown Roger." Roger loved to take long daily walks downtown and around town and check-in on all the merchant's on his rounds. He walked dogs, reported burglaries in progress and quickly became a friend to many. Roger fell into ill health about three years ago. He was no longer able to live independently, and he found a comfortable, new home at REM Southeast group home in Rochester, MN. While it was so difficult to leave his Owatonna friends, everyone at Southeast worked hard to provide Roger with a pleasant home to his final days. He is survived by his sister, Delores (Roger) Johnson of Clear Lake, MN; nephews Craig Johnson and Kelly Johnson, both of Buffalo, MN; niece Julie (Jack Honeywell) Johnson of Winona, MN and many great and great, great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents. Visitation 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Saturday, October 10, 2015 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 3:00 pm Saturday, October 10, 2015 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Long Lake Lutheran Cemetery Adjacent to Long Lake Lutheran Church St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081