Cecil J. Refsland age 89 of Rochester passed away peacefully on November 21, 2019. He was born on August 27, 1930 in Rural Sacred Heart, Minnesota to Christ and Celia (Engebretson) Refsland.
Cecil attended rural school grades 1-8 and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1948. Following graduation, he served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955. He was stationed in Germany during the Korean War.
Cecil, along with his brother Jacob, owned and operated Phillips 66 service stations in Wells and Rochester, Minnesota from 1956 to 1963. He then went on to work at the Rochester Police Department as a Patrolman for 16 years and later a Detective for 13 years. In 1991 Cecil retired after 29 years of service.
Cecil married Alice Swenson on October 13, 1956 in Wells, Minnesota. They were married 28 years before she became ill and passed away on December 21, 1984.
Together they had five children, Brian, Chris, Terry, Brenda, and Pam.
On February 14, 1987, Cecil married Evelyn Swee at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester. This union united their two families as one.
Cecil enjoyed golfing, traveling, and was an avid member of the Elks.
He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, they were all so important to him.
Cecil is survived by his wife, Evelyn; children, Brian, Chris (Cathie), Terry (Mary), Brenda (Maynard Read), Pam Herber; step-children, LeAnn (Bob), Alan, Tom, Lisa (Steve), Mark (Jane), Loy (Garett); daughter-in-law, Julie; nineteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; one brother, Jacob (Shirley); sister-in-law, Sharon (John) Sietsema.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Alice; parents; infant son, Joseph; siblings, Harvey, Marcella, Adela, Russell; stepson, Donnie; step daughter-in-law, Kelly.
Cecil’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Seasons Hospice Home for their loving care.
Memorials are welcome to the Seasons Hospice Home.
The memorial service for Cecil will be held 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday November 26, 2019 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home with Pastor Norman Wahl officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
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