Roger Matthew Michels

Roger Matthew Michels, age 88, of North Mankato, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 22, 2026 at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Mankato.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am, Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato, with visitation starting at 9:30am at the church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Mankato. 

Roger was born March 28, 1937, in Mankato to Clarence and Valeria Michels. He married Elaine Dauffenbach in 1959, and they enjoyed sixty years of marriage before her passing in 2019. Together Roger and Elaine farmed in North Mankato for fifty years. Roger loved farming; it was in his blood! His son Steve partnered with him on the family farm, raising hogs and growing corn and soy beans. When he wasn’t farming, Roger spent many hours fishing, deer hunting, and playing cards. Roger and Elaine were part of a card club with dear friends for more than forty years. Throughout his life, Roger volunteered at church, either selling Christmas trees at the KC lot, organizing a pancake breakfast, or leading a Lenten fish fry. In his retirement, Roger became an avid reader and cheered on the Minnesota Twins with Elaine.

Roger is survived by his children: Steve (Deb) of North Mankato; Nancy (Curt) Madsen of Arnolds Park, IA; Julie (Paul Cleary) of St. Paul; and Larry (Jolene) of Sioux Falls, SD; twelve grandchildren: Jerad (Alyssa), Cherise (Dylan Roghan), Deven (Riley Kunkel) Michels; Breah and Skyler Gappa; Anthony (Sydney Sua) and Tyler (Tori) Madsen; Catherine (Erik Scheub) and Elizabeth (Ryan Herold) Cleary; Jessica (Kevin) Haiar; Brett (Alicia) Michels; Madison (Benson) Kleinschmidt; eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine, and his sister Marilyn Rieff.

Roger’s family offers heartfelt thanks to the staff at Water’s Edge and the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Mankato.