Roger James Abels, age 80, was called home by the Lord on Sunday, October 11, 2026 after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his family at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11am on Friday, October 16, 2026 at St. John’s the Baptist Church in Searles. Burial will be in New Ulm Catholic Cemetery. Full military honors will be provided by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 on Thursday, October 15, 2026 at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – NORTH chapel and will continue from 10-11am on Friday, October 16, 2026 at church, prior to the service.

To leave an online condolence for the family or to sign the guest book go to: mvfh.org

Roger is survived by his wife, Irene Abels; children, Laura (Matthew) Goodman, Wayne (Jennifer) Abels; grandchildren, Katharine, Anna and Tobias Goodman, Skylar and Brooklyn Abels; brothers and sisters, Gerald Abels, Douglas (Carol) Abels, Cheryl Allex, Karen Abels, David Abels and Cynthia Abels; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Helen Welu, Madeline Swedzinski, Roger (Deanna) Coudron, Joanne Shopteese, Daniel (Grace) Coudron, Dorothy Vandendriessche, Charles (Mary Jean) Coudron, Richard (Lois) Coudron, Judy (Francis) Maeyaert, Michael (Celeste) Coudron and Jeanette (Jim) Lilleberg; many cousins, nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hazen and Dorothy (Flood) Abels; parents-in-law, Leon and Marie Coudron; granddaughter, Savanna Abels; brothers-in-law, Lloyd Welu, Thomas Swedzinski, John Shopteese, Robert Walser, Robert Vandendriessche; sister-in-law, Marlene Abels; nieces and nephews, Tim Coudron, Jolene Hjelmberg, David Coudron, Melvin Welu.

Roger James Abels was born on August 12, 1946, in Canby, MN, the oldest of seven children to Hazen and Dorothy (Flood) Abels. He grew up on various farms in parts of Minnesota and South Dakota. After graduating high school from Minneota, MN, he proudly served two years in the Army as a highly skilled Field artillery surveyor. He then attended Granite Falls Area Technical School to pursue a career as a Tool and Die Maker. On September 1, 1973, he was united in marriage to Irene Coudron, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Milroy, MN. Together they enjoyed 53 years together living in Searles, MN where they raised their two children, Laura and Wayne. Roger spent 37 years working at 3M in New Ulm as a Tool and Die Maker. After retiring from 3M, he worked part-time as a courier for Minnesota Valley Testing Lab for 10 years, before his cancer diagnosis caused him to retire in 2019.

Roger was a humble, honest man who enjoyed the simple things in life. He especially enjoyed spending time with children, Laura and Wayne, their spouses, Matthew and Jennifer, and 5 special grandchildren. He and Irene made many happy memories over the years camping and visiting his family and friends, whom he loved deeply. Roger always enjoyed life and looked for the good in each day. He had a very positive attitude and trusted in God to walk with him throughout life. His motto to everyone who knew him was “To make the best of each day.” He was a dedicated member of St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Church in Searles and was very active in parish life. He truly enjoyed the community of Searles and the surrounding area, and was always willing to be helpful to his neighbors. He enjoyed spending time in the outdoors, Canadian fishing trips, cutting and splitting wood, working in his shop and taking motorcycle trips with friends. He maintained an active interest in farm life, and he enjoyed restoring tractors and was a member of the Prairieland Flywheelers Club. He looked forward to his weekly coffee gatherings with friends. In their later years, Roger and Irene enjoyed weekend camping trips, and many vacation trips across the US. He will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends as a man of deep faith, quiet perseverance, honesty and eternal optimism.

Memorials preferred to St. John’s the Baptist Church or New Ulm Medical Center Oncology.