Roland John Couser, 82, of Brookings, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, at the Brookings ER.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. on Friday with a Wake Service and Rosary at 5:30 p.m. at Eidsness Funeral Home.
Roland was born in Britton, SD, and raised on a farm. His family moved to Sisseton, SD, so he and his sister could attend high school there. He was a 1958 graduate from Sisseton High School. Roland joined the US Navy and met his first wife Maudie May Hendrix, on a blind date while stationed at Corpus Christi Navy Station. They were married April 19, 1960.
To this union were born five children; David (Deanna) Couser, Holly, Mi; Patrick (Lori) Couser, Brookings, SD; Mike Couser, Wahpeton, ND; Mary (Mark)Zoellner, Aberdeen, SD.
In June, 1962, Roland was honorably discharged from the US Navy, returning to Sisseton. In May of 1963, Maudie was severely burned in a propane gas explosion. They moved to Rochester, Mn to be near her care at St. Mary’s Hospital and Mayo Clinic.
Upon graduation earning an associate degree in electrical engineering from Devry Technical Institute in 1967, Roland began working for Texas Instruments in Dallas, Tx . Throughout the next 12 years of moving between Texas and South Dakota, Roland worked for Control Data in Aberdeen, Slumber J in Texas and again Control Data-Banner , retiring in 2000. He moved from their Columbia, SD, farm to Aberdeen that same year.
Roland married Charlotte Bachman on October 20, 2007. This marriage brought Audrey (Jody) Kress and Chad (Tina) Bachman into his growing family. Throughout the years, he enjoyed attending the birthday, school sporting events of 17 grandchildren and watching three great grandchildren grow.
Roland and Charlotte enjoyed traveling on pilgrimages to Rome, Italy, Medjugorje, Croatia, Philadelphia to see Pope Francis, Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Mexico and Iceland. Young and old friends were gained and cherished. Several retreats were made with Father Ronald Rohlheiser in San Antonia, Tx, that also included visiting family and friends in Arizona and Texas. Lastly they experienced traveling a bus trip to Shrines in Wisconsin and a trip to Washington for a wedding and to spend time with the friends they originally met on the Italy tour.
Roland’s Catholic faith was very important to him, providing a source of strength and support. He was a member of St Thomas More Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Faithfully attending Eucharistic Adoration provided strength for him as did a devotion of the Rosary. He also served as a CCD teacher in Texas. He held membership in the American Legion of Brookings, serving as honor guard when able. Roland attended a Cursillo retreat and became a member of a group.
Roland found peace and contentment by spending time outdoors fishing, gardening, viewing sunrises and sunsets and enjoying the sights of backyard birds and animals. Time was also spent enjoying these gifts of nature at Tacoma Park.
To each who knew Roland, he was a kind hearted soul with gentleness who listened with intentness to each and every person he touched. We will miss his “treasure” opened and shared from his heart.
Also grateful for sharing his life journey is his sister, Laverda (Larry) Huber, Lakeside, Az.
Roland was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Catherine Couser, Maudie May Couser(2005), and son, Roland John Couser, Jr (2006).
Roland’s family would like to thank everyone for their love and support during this time. Please join them immediately following the Mass at church social hall for lunch and a time of fellowship.
