Roger John Ille, 95, of Albert Lea, died on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013, at St Marys Hospital in Rochester after a brief illness.

Private family services will be at a later date.

Roger was born on July 10, 1918, the son of Clarence and Pearl (Steele) Ille in Blooming Prairie. He attended Blooming Prairie Schools in which he graduated in 1936. Roger attended Luther College and Mankato State University. He was united in marriage to Rosalee Newgard on Feb. 27, 1942.

Roger was an avid sports fan, especially liking the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. He was a skilled golfer, bowler and pool player. Roger also enjoyed camping and fishing with his family. In his youth, he flew an open cockpit double winged airplane.

Roger worked at Hormel Foods and later owned his own businesses Roger’s Bar and Club 90 in Alden.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Rosalee; two children, daughter Linda (Heinz) Mosmann of Heilbronn, Germany, and son, Larry (Deanna) Ille, of Albert Lea, whom Roger always referred to as his No. 1 son; three granddaughters Stephanie (Jay) Johnson, Laura (Doug) Kuethe and Cheryl Ille; four grandsons Johannes Mosmann, Thomas (Anne) Mosmann, Andreas Mosmann and Markus Mosmann; 11 great-grandchildren Matthew and Johnathan Fethke, Samantha, Breanna, Alyssa and Taylor Kuethe and Magdalena, Jakob, Johanna, Jonathan and Maria Mosmann. Roger is also survived by his beloved dog and companion, Pepper.

Roger will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. His friends and family will miss his silly and entertaining comments, making faces and his singing.

There was never a day that Roger failed to thank his son for being there for him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Lowell.