Roger L. McClelland, 72, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, at the Blake Medical Center in Bradenton, Fla.

He was born to Samuel and Dorothy (Lenz) McClelland on Dec. 11, 1939, in Austin. After graduating from Austin High School in 1957, he joined the Army. Upon returning, he met the love of his life and married Patricia Ann Lane in 1966 and moved to Wisconsin. She was taken from him in an auto accident. He later met Kathleen Higgins in January 1975 and four months later were married. Rog was a perfectionist at welding. He worked at various stainless steel companies as a welder and a foreman. He worked as a welding instructor at the Fox Lake Correctional Institution for 18 years and retired in 1996. Rog enjoyed fishing and hunting, but especially loved spending time with his grandchildren, family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Kathleen of Fox Lake; son, Kent McClelland of Michigan; daughter, lovingly nicknamed “Tweety,” Michelle (Brian) Wright of Columbus/Beaver Dam; five grandchildren, Joseph Taylor, Logan, Tanner and Cole Wright and Bridget McClelland; brother, Eugene of Palisade, Minn.; mother-in-law, Ruby Higgins of Fall River; sister-in-law, Marleen (William) Schultz of Columbus; four brothers-in-law, Frank (Nancy) Higgins of Rio, Dennis Higgins of Madison, James Higgins of Fall River, Robert (Mary) Higgins of Meridian, Idaho; his special coffee drinking buddy, Jean Temanson of Dexter, Minn.; other family and friends including his special friends at Sunny Acres.

Roger was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia; parents; sister, Patricia; granddaughter, Krystal. Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, at the funeral home. A private family service will be held. Inurnment will be at a later date with immediate family at Grand View Cemetery in Austin. The family requests memorials may be directed to the Disabled American Veterans, which Roger supported. Jensen Funeral & Cremation Columbus: 920-623-5850, jensenfuneralandcremation.com