Roger Harjes

Roger George Harjes was born October 5, 1939, in Washington Lake Township.  Baptism was on October 29, 1939, and Confirmation was in April 1953 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Green Isle, MN.  He was the 2nd son of William Harjes, Sr. and Adelle Thalman Harjes.

On July 13, 2023, Roger triumphantly departed to meet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

At age 7, Roger moved to his grandparents’ dairy.  He spent his life on the Herman & Marie Thalman’s farm which he purchased in 1971.  The Her-Mar Dairy then changed to Her-Mar Belted Beef in 1993.

After early country school days, he went to Green Isle Public School and graduated in 1957 in the first class of Arlington-Green Isle High School.  He studied one year at the U of M before full-time farming with his parents.  Roger served six years with the Army Reserve.

Roger and Holly were married August 20, 1988, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.  Their reception was held under a yellow and white tent on his farm.

Leadership roles in the community involved FSA Board; YAM Insurance Board; St. Paul’s Lutheran Church; American Legion #408, Commander; Green Isle Lions Club, president; Green Isle Sportsman Club; and the SAVE group.

Roger took pride in developing an exceptional Holstein herd with his brother Bob.  When the dairy ended, Roger was determined to promote another breed.  In Nebraska, he discovered and purchased Galloway Belties.  He had first seen them in Australia and New Zealand on his honeymoon trip.  The Belted bulls serviced about 35 local herds to achieve his goal of “something different for retirement”.

Roger didn’t get to fish nearly as often as he would have liked.  He spent time with family and friends being assured that “all was well”.  All aspects of farming were his passion, as well as reading history.  Traveling about the USA to attend reunions of the USS Sibley crew highlighted many Septembers.

Roger is survived by his wife Holly; step-daughter Audrey (David) and granddaughter Haley Burger; step-son Scott (Kristin) and grandson Noah Nielsen; sister-in-law Dorothea Harjes; brother-in-law Chuck Poore, and his 3 children and families; sister-in-law Rebecca (Larry) Schwisow, and their 2 children and families; nieces Denise (Gene) Alms, and their 7 children and families; Martina (Jim) Knowles, and their 5 children and families; nephew Tom (Cheryl) Harjes, and their 3 children and families; and many relatives and friends.

Preceding Roger in death are his parents Bill, Sr and Della Harjes; brothers William (Bill), Jr. and Robert; beloved Harjes and Thalman grandparents.

We give a special tribute of remembrance to all the guys who worked with Roger on the farm and contributed to the wonderful life he lived.  Each of you brought joy and muscle to his farm!

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be addressed to Green Isle Lions Leaders Dogs and Sibley County Historical Society, or a charity of your choice.

Lions Club Leader Dogs

https://www.leaderdog.org/donate/

Sibley County Historical Society and Museum/Henderson, MN

P.O Box 407 700 Main St.

Henderson, MN 56044

Tel# (507) 248-3434

Email: schs1@frontiernet.net

Visitation will be Friday, July 28th from 2pm to 8pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church,

240 Cleveland Ave., Green Isle, MN 55338.  A private memorial service will be held.