Roger Irvin Griffin

Roger Irvin Griffin of International Falls, died at his home on April 3. 2023, after a long
and hard battle with pancreatic cancer. Roger was born on October 11, 1949 in
Rockford, Illinois, to Ethel (Nelson) and Irvin Griffin. His parents owned a cabin
on Lake Kabetogama and the family spent many summers there. They loved the
area and spent time fishing Lake Kabetogama, Rainy Lake, Ash River, and
Namakan River.
When Roger was seven years old his parents sold their trucking company in
Rockford and moved to International Falls. They purchased a resort in Hale Bay,
Ontario and named it Griffin's Resort and they were then, where they loved to
be. The resort was on the Canadian side, across the Kettle River from Kettle
Falls Hotel and operated until 1969. Summers of his childhood were spent at
the resort and he soon became proficient at fishing, hunting, trapping minnows
and small animals, and cleaning fish. When he was 12 years old he became the
youngest licensed guide in northern Ontario.
Winters were spent in town where he continued to trap and fish and had a
paper route for many years near their home on Point O Pines. Roger graduated
from Falls Senior High School in 1967.
In September 1967, at age 17, Roger enlisted in the Marine Corps and was sent
to Camp Pendleton for boot camp where he turned 18. Roger trained in Camp
Lejeune and Pensacola, FL before being deployed to Vietnam in January 1969.
After being discharged from the Marines, Roger returned to the Falls and worked
for a few months. Roger was very proud of his service in the Marine Corps and
lived by the culture of service and honor. He is a former Commander of the VFW
post 2948, and was very active in the VFW for many years. He also has been
active in Together with Vets, Koochiching Warrior Initiative and worked hard to
achieve his dream of forming a Veteran "drop in center" in Int'l Falls to benefit
all vets in the community. The Koochiching Veteran's Lodge is located at
Backus Community Center, and the center opened formally on March 20, 2023.
Unfortunately, Roger was unable to attend the opening but was so excited that
it was operational.
Roger met and married his first wife, Mary Bauman in September 1971. In 1972
he moved to Minneapolis to attend Dunwoody Institute for welding. Afterward,
he worked in the twin cities for a year and then in 1974 he was hired at Boise
Cascade as a welder. He worked for Boise for 30 years, retiring as a
maintenance supervisor. Roger and Mary had three children, Roger Reid,
Heather, and Brea. He and Mary divorced in 1989. In December 1989 he
married Rebecca Larsen and she brought along her boys, Chad and Cory. They
celebrated their 33rd anniversary in December. In 1999 Roger and Becky
formed River Oaks Home Health Care and owned and operated it for 11 years.
They sold the agency and retired in 2010 it was time to travel and see the
world. They had many adventures after retirement They lived in Anchor Point
Alaska, Lehigh Acres, Fl, and Kelliher, MN before returning home to International
Falls in 2019.
Roger loved hunting, fishing, boating, and traveling. He and Becky restored and
built several houses and loved working together to achieve their dreams. They
traveled far and wide and even navigated a boat from Everett, WA to Homer, AK.
What an adventure.
Roger is survived by: his wife Rebecca (Becky) Larsen-Griffin, Int'l Falls; his
children, Roger Reid (Sandy), of Midland; Michigan; Heather (Joe) Miller, of
Appleton, WI; Brea (John) Butera of Arvada, CO; Chad Kuryla of Anchor Point,
AK; and Cory Kuryla (Sara), of Fairbanks, AK. Grandchildren: Brooke Miller of
TX, Aubrie Miller, of CO, and Andi Miller, of WI; and Madison and John Parker, of
CO. He is also survived by sister, Mary Buhl of Int'l Falls, and June Ryden of
Rockford, IL; Sister-in-Law, Kally Herman, and Brother-in-law, Lyndon (Sue)
Larsen, and many nieces and nephews who
have always been close to his heart and shared many wonderful times with
"Uncle Roger."
Roger was predeceased by his parents, Ethel and Irvin, Father and Mother-inLaw,
Verne and Audrey Larsen; Grandsons, Cody Kuryla and Paul Kuryla,
sister, Rogene, sisters-in law, Jeri O'Leary, Nancy Blazina, and Mary Zvolsky.
Brothers in Law, John Ryden, Mike O'Leary, and Dan Herman. Niece, Jennifer
Buhl, and nephews Jay Buhl, and Chuck Ryden.
There will be no funeral. A graveside Military Honor Guard Ceremony will be
held at Forest Hill Cemetery on June 14, 2023 at 9:30 am at the Forest Hill VFW
Cemetery for family and close friends; followed by a memorial luncheon at
Thunderbird Lodge.
Those who wish to donate memorials are asked to direct them to the
Koochiching Veteran's Lodge, or Koochiching County Food Access.