Funeral services for Roger F. Paczkowski Sr., age 70, of Albert Lea, will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Theodore. The Rev. Robert Schneider will officiate. Burial will be at St. Theodore’s Catholic Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Freeborn County Servicemen’s Organization. Visitation will be today from 4-8 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the services on Tuesday.

Roger died on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2003, at the Good Samaritan Center from complications of Mesothelioma (asbestos lung cancer).

Roger Franklin Paczkowski Sr. was born on June 9, 1933, in Albert Lea, the son of Matthew and Gertrude (Chicos) Paczkowski.

He attended and graduated from Albert Lea High School and shortly after enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Roger served his country on the USS Los Angeles, the USS Baltimore and was discharged from the USS Kermit Roosevelt.

On Nov. 20, 1954, Roger was united in marriage to Joan A. Busso who also was serving her country in thew U.S. Navy while stationed at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, Calif. After the discharge, the couple moved back to Albert Lea. Roger worked for Almco for a short time and then for Wilson’s. During this time Roger and Joan owned and operated the &uot;Maid Rite&uot; from 1973 to 1981.

Roger enjoyed anything outdoors, hunting, fishing, trap and skeet shooting, volunteering his time to the disabled vets on fishing trips to Ely, Minn., on Fall Lake. Roger was a true friend, role model and mentor to those who crossed his path. Teaching his &uot;boys&uot; and grandchildren how to fish and hunt was not only one of his greatest gifts, but also cherished pleasure.

Roger’s Catholic faith was very important to him and he was active at his church. He was a 50-year member of the American Legion, a life member of the VFW, a member of the Elks club, a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Duck’s Unlimited and Southern Minnesota Waterfowl Association of which he was a charter member. He served as a board member of the Veterans On The Lake, Ely, and he was a member of the Fountain Lake Sportsman’s Club.

Roger is survived by his wife, Joan A. of Albert Lea; sons: Roger Jr. and wife Sandi of Waseca, and Timothy and wife Tammy of Richmond, Minn.; grandchildren: Nicholas, Jack, Josh and wife Jessica, Gabby, Daniel, Kayla and Timothy Jr.; brothers, Russell and wife Berniece Paczkowski of Albert Lea, and Conrad and wife Ann Paczkowski of Albert Lea; sisters: Agnes and husband John Capp of Austin, and Patricia and husband Peter Berglund of Albert Lea; sisters-in-law: Ruth Paczkowski of Albert Lea, and Meg and husband Terry Gibney of Decatur, Ga.; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Francis, Matthew Jr. and Joseph; and a sister, Arlene.