Roger James Bebie, age 85, of Grand Marais, Minn., formerly of River Falls, Wis. passed away in Duluth, Minn., on March 12, 2024, from complications due to Dementia with Lewy Bodies, and cancer. His wife, Mary Margaret, and daughter, Monica Joy, were at his bedside.
Roger was born in Seffner, Fla. on Nov. 21, 1938, to Frances (Goethe) and Gustave Bebie. Roger was born with sport’s blood in his veins, a love of history and he did know how to have fun.
At the age of six Roger’s family moved to Bruce, Wis., where he started school. Boy Scouts became a big part of his life. It taught him skills of life and living outside. There were many adventures at the Scout Cabin. He had a paper route that got him up early and he knew everyone in town. Sports filled his life in high school. In football he would laughingly say he was so tough he held his socks up with thumbtacks. He graduated from Bruce High School in 1958 and was the first in his family to go to college. He went to University of Wisconsin-River Falls and received his degree in education with a major in history which led to his career as a World History teacher in Ellsworth, Wis. He was a creative teacher that made the who, what, when and where in history become real for all students.
While home checking on his mom, shortly after his father passed, Roger met Mary Margaret Schmitz and in August 1967, they were married. Nine years later, they were blessed with their bundle of joy when their daughter, Monica Joy was born. She changed their lives.
Along with being a devoted teacher, Roger was a coach, environmentalist, a serious collector and crazy sports fan. Throughout his life, Roger was an avid reader and because of his love for history he creatively motivated and inspired this in every student. Coaching football and track, he shared the skills he acquired from coaches he admired while playing in high school. The environment was always a top priority. Cleaning roadsides, planting trees, recycling, and contributing to environmental organizations was a part of him.
In his quiet time, Roger would read history and sports literature. Purchasing and organizing his collections of stamps, coins and antique tins was a great hobby in retirement.
He also loved to help Mary garden, always remembering to stop around 3 p.m. for a beer in the garden while admiring the flowers. Above all, Roger loved the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers and the River Falls Falcons. They were in his blood.
Roger was predeceased by his parents Frances and Gustave Bebie, sisters, Marion (Phil) Lower, Doris (John) Kirby, Erma (John) Taylor, and brothers, Bruce, Richard (Bonnie), and many nieces and nephews.
Roger is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Mary Margaret, of 56 years, and his dear loving daughter, Monica Joy Bebie.
In lieu of flowers the family encourages donations to:
Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc., 912 Killian Hill Road S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047 or Care Partners of Cook County 513 5th Ave. W. Grand Marais, MN 55604
Nature Conservancy of Minnesota Conserving Nature for Cook County Minnesota 394 S. Lake Ave. Duluth, MN 55802.
The family thanks all who cared for Roger during the long journey with Dementia with Lewy Bodies: Sawtooth Mountain Clinic doctors and staff, Cook County Law Enforcement Project LifeSaver, Care Partners of Cook County, special caregivers at The Lodge in River Falls, St. Croix Hospice of Wisconsin and Minnesota, and all the dear caregivers at Benedictine-Marywood. We are so very grateful.
A celebration of Roger’s life will be held on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024 from 1-4 p.m. at Junior’s - 414 S. Main St., River Falls, WI 54022.
