Roland H. Jurgens, III

Roland Jurgens, III, age 55, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on May 7, 2024, at Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home on Saturday. A time of fellowship will follow the service at the home of Roland and Connie.

Roland Herman Jurgens, III, was born on January 25, 1969, at Abbot Hospital in Minneapolis, MN, to Roland, Jr. and Sharon (Rowland) Jurgens. He was baptized at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wayzata, MN, and confirmed at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Wilmot, SD. Roland graduated from Wilmot Public School in 1987 and went on to earn an Associate's Degree in Surveying and Civil Engineering from Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis in 1995. 

In 2008, Roland exchanged wedding vows with his beloved wife, Connie Rausch, on Orcas Island, WA, marking the beginning of a beautiful union. He dedicated his career to surveying and civil engineering, eventually attaining the esteemed position of Senior Project Manager at Thorstad Companies, where he played an instrumental role in developing numerous renewable energy projects.

Roland's commitment to his community was evident through his involvement as a 4-H volunteer in the robotics program in Ortonville, MN, his service on the planning commission in Orono, MN, and his contributions on the city council in Chokio, MN. He was an avid outdoorsman, finding solace in activities like fishing, hiking, and exploring the Black Hills area with Connie and Daniel. 

Following in his namesake’s footsteps, Roland loved showing the Jurgens family collection of antique gas engines, which they have on display at WMSTR in Rollag, MN, in The Jurgens Engine Shed.

Roland leaves behind his loving wife, Connie Rausch-Jurgens of Ortonville, MN; his son, Daniel; Connie’s daughter, Elizabeth Larson; sister, Gail (Mike) Saxton of Tierra Del Mar, OR; parents, Roland, Jr. (Sharon) Jurgens of Johnson, MN; aunts and uncles: Carol (Waldo) Johnson of Clinton, MN; Pat (Bob) Burt of St. Cloud, MN; Alan (Wendy) Rowland of Browns Valley, SD; Charles Jurgens of Wilmot, SD; Sherry Jurgens (Vivian) of Frazee, MN; and Kathy (Tim) Zemple of Wilmot, SD; and along with many cousins and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Roland, Sr. and Delores Jurgens, Daniel and Mildred Rowland; and great-grandparents: Franz and Ella Ferber, and Herman and Violet Jurgens; and uncle, Gerald Jurgens.

On December 19, 2023, Roland suffered a heart attack that became very complicated. He was determined to fight his way back and never gave up. He had so many cheerleaders including the amazing nurses, doctors, and therapy team at Fairview East Bank Hospital. Unfortunately, after an almost five-month battle, his body just could not fight any longer. Roland’s positivity, grace, and kindness shown through to the very end. There are no words to describe our appreciation for everyone who touched our lives at the hospital, and for our HUGE village who supported us through this. We will be eternally grateful for you all.

In lieu of flowers, donations toward your local food bank, school backpack program, and local humane society or animal rescue are appreciated.