Roy Deubner

Roy Edward Deubner, 75, of Homestead died Sept. 27, 2021.

He was born on May 21, 1946, to Ed and Joyce (Johnson) Deubner in Williston, N.D. He grew up on the farm near Homestead. That way of life would never leave him. He graduated a Honker from Medicine Lake High School in 1965. He went on to Northern Montana College of Havre where he continued not only his academics in diesel mechanics but also played football.

He married Cheryl Rae Rossmeier on March 26, 1967. This relationship started without Cheryl even knowing it. He spotted Cheryl on the playground from a classroom window. She was playing Kicker Ball. He said he knew she was the one.

After their marriage, he attended his basic training for the National Guard at Fort Campbell, Ky. During the winter of 1968, they lived in Sidney, where he worked at the sugar beet factory. In the spring of the year, he worked for the Hendrickson family farm. It was also this year that he purchased a 510 Massey and a truck and started going south with his father, Ed.

He and Cheryl purchased their first home in 1969. Paul was born in 1970 and, that same year, they started farming in Canada along with going south combining. In 1972, Tracie came along two months early and could fit into Roy’s shoe box. In 1974, their journey going south combining ended. Not going south opened new doors at home where he had a successful custom farming business along with still farming in Canada. In 1979, they began renting the Tim Hjort land east of Medicine Lake. The years of farming in Canada ended in 1990, but the friendships forged have stood the test of time especially with the Jacobson and Tytlandsvik families.

His passion was farming no doubt and his dream to own his own farm became a reality in 1983 with the purchase of the Tom McCabe farm in Homestead. His lifetime dream was fulfilled when Paul moved home to the family farm in 2011.

He always talked about farming. He was anxious to get going in the spring and on one or two occasions might have put some green wheat in the bin. His thing was harvest and digging for seed. He was a pro at setting a combine. He talked about his years of custom combining and was always excited to get Wright’s here to get things going. When checking for seed, he didn’t use a seed pick; he used his finger.

His other passion was his family. He had a heart of gold. He loved spoiling his grandchildren. He was always there for his children and always willing to help someone in need.

His journey with cancer began in 2009 and he fought the battle with dignity to the end.

He is survived by wife, Cheryl of 54 years; son, Paul Deubner of Medicine Lake; daughter Tracie Prigge of Drayton, N.D.; numerous grandchildren; sister, Mary DiFonzo of Sidney; and brother, Don Deubner of Homestead.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Wayne.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Oct. 3.