Roger Waldo Oldfather, age 92, of Kiester, MN died Sunday, March 8, 2026 at MCHS in Austin, MN. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Kiester, MN. A visitation will be held two hours prior (9:00-11:00 am) to the services at church. Pastor Don Rose will be officiating and burial will be in Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery.

Roger was born December 6, 1933, the son of Charles L. and Martha (Goette) Oldfather in Albert Lea, MN. He was baptized December 31, 1933, and confirmed May 9, 1948 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kiester by Pr. C. Schrietmueller. Roger graduated from Kiester High School, the class of 1951. He was united in marriage to LaVonne Marie Braund March 20, 1968, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

Roger worked as a Dairy Herd Improvement Supervisor from 1951-1953. In 1953 he started farming full time until 1969. In 1967, he and his wife opened the Maple Café, which they operated until 1977. Roger was very active in the community. He served as Mayor of Kiester from 1974 until 2010.  He was the Kiester American Legion Club Manager from 1977-1999. Roger was active on the Faribault County Fair Board (1958-1998) and was also the secretary and manager from 1963-1998.  He was on the Region Nine Development Commission (1977-2010) and the Region Nine Development Board (1980-2010); Kiester Economic Development Authority Board (1992-2016), Kiester Civic and Commerce (1967-2015), and was a Kiester Lions Club Charter Member since 1986-serving all capacities of the board.  Roger served on the STARS USC Mentor Board, Kee Theater Board, was an Our Savior’s Lutheran Church member and council member, and a Sunday School Teacher.  Roger spent 20 years as a leader of the Kee 4-H Club; Secretary of the Faribault County Holstein Association- founding The Princess Kay Dairy Princess Contest in Faribault County and served on the Minnesota Dairy Industry Committee.

Roger is survived by his son and daughter, Bruce W. Oldfather of Lake Mills, IA, Marie (Curt) Helland of Emmons, MN; grandchildren, Jacob Helland of Conger, MN, Danielle Helland (Richard Johnson) of Shakopee, MN, and Cole Oldfather; great-grandson, Sutton Helland of Conger, MN; good friend Jeremy Fure of Kiester, MN; brother, Warren Oldfather of Kiester, MN; in-laws, Alice Braund of Kiester, MN, Wayne Ellertson of Charles City, IA, Lynn (John) Wirkkala of Rogersville, MO; along with many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; wife, LaVonne; sister, Twyla (Larry) Bennett; in-laws, Rosemary Oldfather, Keith Braund, Vern (Bonnie) Braund, Jean Ellertson, Marlys (Bob) Harig, Jean (Rudolph) Helland; special friend, Sheryl Marie Fure; niece and nephews, Kristi Harig, Randy and Vern Braund.