Service Information
Roy John Henry Bressler, age 73, of Lakeville, Minnesota, formerly of Green Isle, Minnesota, passed away Saturday, August 28, 2021, at Northfield Hospital in Northfield, Minnesota.
Celebration on Life will be Friday, September 3, 2021, 2:00 P.M. at Church of Peace in Norwood Young America with interment at a later date in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Gathering of family and friends will be Noon – 2:00 P.M., 2 hours prior to the service, all at the church on Friday.
Obituary
Roy John Henry Bressler was born on December 16, 1947, in Glencoe, Minnesota. He was the son of Henry and Mabel (Fruetel) Bressler. He was baptized as an infant on January 11, 1948, and later was confirmed in his faith as a youth on March 26, 1961, both by Rev. O.J. Vriesen, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Reformed Church in Hamburg, Minnesota. His confirmation verse was from 1st Timothy verses 6-12. Roy attended Kindergarten at Rural District Schoolhouse #27 in Green Isle, Minnesota. He attended grades 1-8 at Green Isle Elementary. Roy graduated with the Arlington-Green Isle High School Class of 1965.
Roy loved his country as much as he loved his family and proudly served his country with the Army. He was inducted into the Army on December 13, 1967, in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Roy served in the Vietnam War, as the Artillery Forward Observer for Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Mechanized, 25th Infantry Division. In recognition of his leadership and sacrifice during a battle against overwhelming forces during a reconnaissance patrol on August 21, 1968, in Ben Cui, Vietnam, he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. In addition to these awards, his battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. After serving 2 terms, Roy received an honorable discharge on December 12, 1973.
On June 10, 1972, Roy was united in marriage to Margaret Barth at Waconia Moravian Church in Waconia, Minnesota. Roy and Margaret made their home in Waconia. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Eli and Jill. Roy and Margaret later divorced. On August 28, 2007, Roy was united in marriage to Joletta Weiman at the Church of Peace in Norwood Young America. They shared 7 blissful years of marriage until Joletta’s passing on August 19, 2015.
On his return home after serving in the army, while raising a young family, Roy continued a life of service. Roy served as a volunteer on the Lakeville Fire Department for more than 20 years. He was a lifetime member and actively involved in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion for more than 40 years. In addition, Roy participated and volunteered in the Disabled American Veterans, the Lakeville Yellow Ribbon, the Cooties, the Optimist Club, as well as the Toastmasters. Roy retired after over 25 years from his career at the Minnesota Veterans home in Hastings, Minnesota as the Volunteer Service Coordinator, a position that allowed him to serve his Veteran Brothers in a professional manner. He was a proud member of the Church of Peace in Norwood Young America.
In his retirement, Roy enjoyed fishing, traveling to see family, friends, and fellow soldiers he served with, in Vietnam. Roy was a proud grandparent, who planned to move closer to his grandchildren to be close to the people he loved.
Roy John Henry Bressler peacefully joined his wife, the late Joletta Weiman, on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at the age of 73. Blessed be his memory.
Roy is survived by his:
Children, Eli Bressler, of Lusby, Maryland,
Jill Lukas and her husband, Steven, of Palm Harbor, Florida;
Grandchildren, Marley Bressler, Henry Bressler, Emily Lukas, Karalyn Lukas, and Alanna Lukas;
Sister, Margaret Stoeckmann and her husband, Richard, of Hamburg, MN;
Niece, Laurie Schauer and her husband, Steven, of Glencoe, MN;
Nephew, Jeremy Stoeckmann and his special friend, Jessica Horke, of Glencoe, MN;
Great-niece, Kaitlyn Schauer and her fiancé, Jason Vinkemeier, of Glencoe, MN;
Great-nephews, Tyler, Nicholas, and Cody Schauer, of Glencoe, MN;
Other family and friends.
Roy is preceded in death by his Wife, Joletta Weiman; Parents, Henry and Mabel Bressler; Father and Mother-in-law, Ned and Flossy Weiman.
James H Cooper says
He was a really nice guy and a credit to his community. The Lakeville VFW misses him.
Too young.
Ann Fairbanks says
Deepest sympathy and prayers for comfort and peace to Roys family. I met Roy several times at family events and noticed what a pleasant kind man he was.
Ann, sister in law of Dan Smestad.
Marc Anderson says
Roy, it has been a real pleasure knowing you and working with you over the years through our VFW club. Since your accident there has been a real emptiness in our club. I really miss you. We had some great times together working on our 100 year anniversary celebration, especially when you, Jim and I rode in that helicopter over Lakeville. May God watch over you and take good care of you. You really deserve it. Peace brother.
Ellen Able says
So sorry for you loss! Roy was an awesome guy and one of my favorite people. I worked closely with him on a variety of activities with Lakeville Yellow Ribbon as a volunteer and through the VFW as well. He will be so missed. I loved his infectious smile and his big heart always thinking of others and how he could help them. I miss him already!
Sid Johnson says
What a guy!!!! We all miss you.
Darlene Jackson says
From: Darlene Jackson, Past Department VFWA President
I knew Roy through the VFW and Auxiliary and his great dedication to the Veterans Home in Hastings. He was a very kind man and offering sympathy to his family.
Class of 1965 says
The Arlington-Green Isle Class of 1965 bids farewell to Dear Classmate, Roy. We will miss him and cherish the memories we hold in our hearts. Our Sincere Condolences to Roy’s Family.
Deanna Mounts says
“Life is good!” How many times did I hear Roy say this? (Lots!) He enjoyed so many things in life! Especially his family and friends! An honest, God fearing, patriotic, hard working guy with a big heart, who loved life!!! That’s how I’ll remember Roy! Blessed be the memory of a dear friend & coworker, Roy Bressler, He will be missed!
Sue Register says
His memory at the Hastings Veterans Home will live forever. His dedication, care and support of the veterans here were unmatched. Wonderful person and a great patriot. He will be missed!
Barb Kryzer says
I am grateful and blessed to have met one of God’s finest. Rest in Peace Young Man!
Dee Koepp says
So sorry for your loss. Roy will be fondly remembered and sadly missed.
Ken McKenna says
My fellow warrior you will be
Greatly missed. I loved the time’s we had at the Ben Cui reunions.
The Bobcat’s will always remember you. Ken
Mike Labovitch - Pas Dakota County Veterans Service Officer - Past VFW 2nd District Cmdr says
He will be deeply missed by all who has the opportunity of knowing him and working with as I did over the past 46 yrs. May he rest in Peace!
My deepest condolences to his family. friends and the many who join me in mourning his passing.
Nancy Lange says
I am so sorry to learn of Roy’s passing. I worked with Roy at Sears Lake Street long ago. He was a great guy and had a great sense of humor. He talked about Eli and Jill all the time. He loved you so much.
My deepest sympathy.
Diane Hinz says
I still look at his picture and remember our good times together. I met him through working at MN Veterans Center in Hastings. He was the kindest man and I will always love him and miss him.