Roger Saldaña Ortiz

Roger Ortiz, 74, of Angus, MN & San Antonio, TX, died in his home on Monday, November 13, 2023, surrounded by his wife, daughters, and extended family.

Roger Saldaña Ortiz was born on October 1, 1949, in Brislet Township, MN to Antonio and Julia (Saldaña) Ortiz. His family (including 15 brothers and sisters) moved with the seasons between Minnesota and Texas, and he worked on the farm on which he was born until his mid 30s. When in Texas, Roger attended school and met the love of his life when he was just 15 years old. On February 16, 1969, Roger was married to Irma Herrera and the two honeymooned in Minnesota, following the harvest north.

After a few more years of migrant work, Roger and Irma settled in Warren where they raised their five daughters. In those years, Roger became a self-employed master carpenter: he built things from the ground up and appreciated having no boss but himself. His family remembers him as a hustler, a man who always seemed to make ends meet for his family- even once showing up with a tree the night of Christmas Eve. His nickname was “Bear,” due to the gruff appearance that was always hiding behind a pair of sunglasses, even when indoors. Roger and Irma moved back to Texas following the flood of '97 but still snowbirded north in the summer.

He enjoyed watching western movies and reciting his favorite lines before they happened on screen. He liked playing Bingo and 31, gambling, and spoiling his favorite daughter. He was strict with his daughters but was soft on his grandchildren. Family time was everything. He loved being around so much of his family in his final months.

In his younger years, Roger was a wild one and made many mistakes. After failing promises to everyone else, Roger made a promise to God that if He gave him a grandson, he would stop drinking and become a better man. This promise he kept for the last 32 years of his life, embracing sobriety while still enjoying going out and buying a round for his friends. His loyalty and generosity never wavered.

Roger is survived by his wife of 54 years, Irma; five daughters, Lisa Ortiz, Isabell (Jason Borsvold) Ortiz, Emma (Lindomar) Ibarra, Denise (Freddie Martinez) Ortiz, and Krystal (Paul “Jay”) Gaitan; 21 grandchildren, Sabrina, Felicity, Jolie and Fay, Gabriel, Gabriella and Samantha, Sidney, Omar and Toni, Emmarie, Lawrence Jr, Zoey, Khloe and Chelsea, Desani, Eviana, Sergio, Paul Aaron lll, Jaelyn, and Miamor; great-grandchildren, Callie, Lilah, Penelope, Athena, Bodhi, Antonio, and Aspen; siblings, Bertha Mireles, Yolanda Torres, Joe Ortiz, Olivia Luna, Diane (David) Cruz, Karen (Joe) Ortiz, Jesse (Lettie) Ortiz, and Bobby Ortiz; and too many nieces and nephews to count.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Antonio and Julia; brothers, Antonio Jr. and Pete Ortiz; and sisters, Emma Vega, Maria Diana Ortiz, Martha Borsvold, Estella Garza, and Alicia Cortinas.


VISITATION: Thursday evening, November 16, 2023, starting at 4:00 PM, with a Prayer Service at 5:30 PM, in DuBore Funeral Home Chapel, Warren, MN.
RECEPTION: to follow in the Warren Community Center, 110 W. Johnson Ave - Warren, MN 56762.
SERVICES in TEXAS: A Celebration of Roger's Life will be held: details are pending.

To watch a video of Roger's Prayer Service, please click the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/DuBoreFuneralHome/videos/1492415967969699