Roman R. Lessard

Roman Raphael Lessard passed away peacefully October 14th, 2026. He was 96 years old. Roman was born in Oakwood, ND, in 1930 to George and Racheal (Pilon) Lessard. He graduated from St. Aloysius Academy in 1949. Roman served in the Army, first arriving in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo, and then stationed in Germany during the Korean War. Soon after he completed his military service, he was united in marriage to Joyce Marie Collette at Sacred Heart Church in Oakwood on June 26, 1957. Roman then farmed in the Oakwood and Cashel areas and continued to farm with his sons until he retired. He also drove a school bus for the Grafton School District, sharing a bus route with his wife.

Roman was an active member of the Sacred Heart Church of Oakwood and volunteered at the church beginning with his service as an alter boy and then serving as a trustee and a member of the Parish Council. Roman volunteered for the Unity Hospital Development Program as a campaign worker. He was also a member of the American Legion. In later years, Roman was content to hold down the very last pew in the church while his wife sang in the choir. They were later members of St. John the Evangelist in Grafton. He enjoyed watching the Twins play on TV, and while living at Leisure Estates, enjoyed outings to Last Chance for a beer.

Roman is survived by his wife of 69 years, Joyce; his son Steve Lessard; Lee (Linda) Lessard, Laurie (Steve) Johnson; all of Grafton; and Cathy Deimeke, Denver, Colorado. Grandchildren Joshua (Jessica) Johnson, Austin, Minnesota; Christoper (Andrea) Johnson, Bemidji, Minnesota; Samantha (Chris) Lafreniere, Grafton; Rachel (Jacob) Kringstad, Park River; Rebecca (Andrew) Clemens; Fargo; Brittany (Matt) Johnson, Moorhead, MN;  Ryan (Lexi) Lessard, Grand Forks; and Darian and Ally Deimeke, Denver.

Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, October 24th at 10:30 am at St. John the Evangelist Church with visitation starting one hour prior. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Church, Oakwood, ND. Military rites will be provided by the Grafton American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.

The service will be live streamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home website.