Michael Roers

Michael George Roers was born to Harold and Evelyn (Koep) on November 19, 1947 at Wesley Hospital in Wadena, and passed away in his Wadena home on January 5, 2025 at the age of 77. Mike grew up in Minneapolis, graduating from De La Salle High School and then St Cloud State University. A high school teacher in Eagle Bend, MN for 35 years, he was passionate about inspiring his students to grow and learn and his teaching impacted hundreds of people. Mike also taught drivers’ training for more than 50 years in his Mustang, often teaching children of some of his initial students. He coached Mock Trial for many years with his daughter Gina as attorney coach. He was class advisor, yearbook advisor, and won Eagle Bend Teacher of the Year. In addition to teaching history, he wrote an extensively researched book on the history of Eagle Bend entitled “Almost Abbottsville,” published in 1983 to celebrate the town’s 100-year anniversary.

From starting Eagle Bend’s Close Up Washington DC tour groups to expanding the trips abroad that included both students and adults in the community, Mike motivated a love of travel and exploring other cultures in many. From London to Paris to Spain, Italy, and Germany – Mike led tour groups and expanded the experiences of many who were traveling outside of the United States for the first time. He also traveled personally to many international destinations with his wife Jan and daughters Jennifer and Gina. Mexico, China, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Czech Republic, Italy, India, and Holland were among a few of these destinations. He also loved to take spontaneous trips in the United States which saw the family in Kankakee Illinois for Hands Across America, waking up in Christmas Michigan in May to decorated trees and lights, and to the Grand Canyon after driving across Arizona. The family also traveled to Washington DC to attend President Barack Obama’s first inauguration.

Mike also had an entrepreneurial spirit that he passed along to his students. An owner of several small businesses himself, he convinced the school to begin a fish farming operation, raising tilapia and teaching his students the ins and outs of running a business such as staffing and the financial aspects. The students also took over the closing of the local hardware store to experience the challenges of managing a retail operation.

His wife and daughters would often run into former students who remembered Mike long after he had taught them – he certainly had an impact!

He had a very eclectic life being involved in everything from coaching and refereeing youth hockey, to being part of bowling and softball teams, to being a Shriner and participating in many parades in mini car formations. He loved his Harley Davidson motorcycle and riding with other members of the Domingos Motorcycle club. In 2024 the family fishing tournament that he initiated celebrated its 30th year. An animal lover, he pampered his horses, and his dogs Emma and Lily were by his side until the end.

Known to have stated that if you had enough of anything it was a collection – Mike took that to heart. He “collected” marbles, coins, crayons, crosscut saws, classic cars (both real and models), baseball cards, comic books, horse statues, and even rabbits at one time or another.

Mike is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jan; his daughters Jennifer (Tom) Iverson and Gina (John) Roers-Liemandt; his granddaughters Kailey (Sam) and Allie (Clem); his siblings Bonnie and Alan; sisters- and brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews; and many other friends and relatives.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Roers, please visit our floral store.