Roger Dallas Garnatz, 63, of Duluth, formerly of Rochester, died unexpectedly Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014, at Essentia Health Center in Duluth.

Roger was born Sept. 11, 1951, to Dallas and Ruth (Stender) Garnatz in Preston. Roger grew up in Lanesboro, graduating from Lanesboro High School in 1969. He then attended Austin Vocational Technical College graduating from their carpentry program in 1971. Roger was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wykoff, and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro. Roger went on to be a very skilled carpenter and was the manager at Fullerton Lumber in Lanesboro for many years. He then worked for Spring Valley Lumber and Larson Homes of Rochester before becoming self-employed.

Roger was very active in sports during and after school, playing basketball, softball, and was on bowling leagues for many years. Roger was very active in Boy Scouts through the years and earned many awards. He was also a troop leader for the Gamehaven Council of Boy Scouts for many years.

Roger was very proud that he bought his first house with the money he saved from delivering papers. He loved remodeling houses and helping family and friends build additions and garages. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, working in his shop building sheds, picnic tables and bird houses, and canning pickles and tomatoes.

Roger married Susan Williams of Austin, on Sept. 23, 1972, at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin. They had four children together and were later divorced.

Roger is survived by one daughter, Angie Coughlin (fiancé, Joe Samora) of Austin; and three sons, Daniel of Austin, Brian of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Travis (Jen) of Byron; one grandson, Owen Garnatz of Byron; one granddaughter, Felicia Clark and great-granddaughter, Haydynn Clark both of Austin; mother, Ruth of Lanesboro; brother, Gary (Faith) of Superior, Wisconsin; many nieces and nephews; and former wives, Susan Kellogg of Stewartville, Donna (Kolden) Garnatz of Spring Valley, Diane (Mueller) Garnatz of Rochester, and Janice (Jacobson) Garnatz of Eagan.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dallas; and brother, Myron.

A funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro, with Pastor Gary Garnatz officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, also at the funeral home. A committal service will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro is assisting the family with arrangements. To share condolences with the family, please visit rileyfuneralhomes.com.