Roger J. Bratland, 70, St. Cloud

June 7, 1944 - January 1, 2015

Roger Jennings Bratland, age 70, St. Cloud, MN, died Thursday, January 1, 2015 at his home.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 1:00 PM at Peace United Church of Christ, St. Cloud, MN. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 6, 2015 from 11:30 to 1:00 PM at Peace United Church of Christ. St. Cloud, MN. Burial with full military honors will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. Funeral arrangements were made by Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN.

Roger was born June 7, 1944 in Fargo, ND to Korre and Henrietta (Hillerson) Bratland, Sr. He grew up and attended school in Leonard, ND, graduating from Leonard Area High School in 1962. In 1964 Roger enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in France and Atlanta, GA. He was discharged in 1967. Roger attended both North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton, ND and Moorhead State University, Moorhead, MN, receiving a BA in Business Administration in 1971. On August 9, 1969, Roger was united in marriage to Kathleen Halvorson. They lived in Moorhead, MN; Fergus Falls, MN; Crookston, MN; and Morris, MN before settling in St. Cloud in 1992. Roger’s career in the insurance industry spanned 35 years. He was employed by American Family Insurance in St. Cloud for 18 years, retiring in 2004. After retirement, Roger was active in the community with the Kiwanis Sunrise Service Club and volunteering. He was also active with his church, Peace United Church of Christ, serving on committees and volunteering.

Survivors include his wife, Kathleen Bratland of St. Cloud, MN; daughter, Karleen Bratland of Minneapolis, MN; two grandchildren, Valentina and Maxim Buehler of Minneapolis, MN; brothers, John (Rose) Bratland of Bethesda, MD; Korre (Alberta) Bratland, Jr. of Lisbon, ND; sister, Karen Johnson of Milnor, ND; and two nephews and two nieces. He is also survived by special friends, Kristine and Dave Kuhn, and John and Michael Elliott.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Sylvia Bratland, and many aunts and uncles.