Roy Fulsaas

Wednesday, December 5, 2018 4:26 pm

Roy Fulsaas, 87, of Ridgeway, died Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, surrounded by family and friends at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at Madison Lutheran Church in rural Ridgeway, with Rev. Jeff Hansen officiating. Burial was in the Madison Lutheran Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, and Saturday beginning at 10 a.m., one hour before the service, at Madison Lutheran Church. Honorary bearer was Rachel Fulsaas. Casket bearers were Ryan Fulsaas, Randy Fulsaas, Cory Wagner, Matthew Wagner, Luke Wagner and Todd Fulsaas. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.

Roy Albert Fulsaas was born April 28, 1931, in Decorah. He was the son of Albert and Ruth (Holstad) Fulsaas. He was the youngest of four siblings. They were Gordon and Merle Fulsaas and June (Fulsaas) Rovang. Roy had a special place in his heart for Martha Chrissen who was a family friend who lived with the Fulsaas family for many years helping with farm chores and raising the children. Roy’s fond memories of Martha were hearing her shout “close the gate so Roy doesn’t get out!”

Roy was baptized at Madison Lutheran Church. He graduated from Decorah High School with the class of 1949. He was united in marriage to Patricia Hagan April 8, 1956, in Austin, Minn. They were married for 62 years and were blessed with two children, Ronald and Julie.

After high school graduation, Roy’s first job was in North Dakota picking potatoes. Later he came back to Cresco and worked at Hoines Drug Store. In 1951, Roy was drafted and he proudly served in the U.S. Army in England and Germany during the Korean War. He served until 1952. Roy’s mission was to spot approaching enemy airplanes and monitor weather conditions. He returned home after his honorable discharge and started farming with his two brothers, Gordon and Merle Fulsaas. Roy farmed for many years with Pat. He was a proud farmer, avid fisherman, loved tractor rides, loved to travel and loved playing cards. Roy often spoke of his athletic accomplishments and friendships while playing football and baseball in high school. Roy and Pat spent many happy hours together watching their children and grandchildren playing sports. Roy was a lifetime member of Madison Lutheran Church, a member of the Mabel Telephone Coop Board, Winneshiek County Coop Board of Directors and Madison Lutheran Church Council.

In 2011, Roy decided to semi-retire and they built their retirement home in Ridgeway. He had promised to build Pat a quilting room and her dream finally came true. They lived there until his death.

Roy is survived by his wife, Pat; children, Ronald (Marilyn) Fulsaas of Ridgeway and Julie (Russ) Wagner of Apple Valley, Minn.; six grandchildren: Ryan (Bre) Fulsaas of Rosemount, Minn., Randy (Heidi) Fulsaas of Farmington, Minn., Rachel Fulsaas of Hopkins, Minn., Cory (Amy) Wagner of Rosemount, Minn., Matthew (Kimberly) Wagner of Eagan, Minn., Luke Wagner of Rochester, Minn.; 11 great-grandchildren: Grace, Luke, Blake and Grant Fulsaas, Brody, Kenzie and Bentley Fulsaas, Coralyn, Zander and Dominic Wagner, and Wesley Wagner; and by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Albert and Ruth, Gordon, Merle and June, and his special friend, Martha.

The family of Roy wishes to convey their sincere thanks for your kind expressions of sympathy. Your support at this difficult time was very much appreciated and brought a great deal of comfort to our family. We will miss our husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be forever in our hearts.