Roxanne Kay Deziel, 57, of Grand Forks, ND, passed away on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.
Roxanne, “Rocky,” was born February 24, 1964, in Mitchell, SD, the daughter of Harlan & Phyllis (Knepper) Ekeland. She was born in South Dakota, moved to Turkey with her family for a short time before moving to Grand Forks where she graduated from Red River High School in 1982.
On September 8, 1984, Rocky married the love of her life, Patrick Deziel, in Grand Forks, ND. Together, they raised their sons Derek and Dylan. They started their lives together in Grand Forks, ND before moving to Camp Shalom on Maple Lake, where they ran the campground for 8 years together. In 2000, they moved to Maple Bay, MN where they spent 19 years enjoying their lives in the country and on the lake they both loved. In 2019 they remodeled a home in Grand Forks, ND to be near family and Pat’s work.
Rocky worked in many areas of hospitals throughout her career but her last occupation as a Personal Care Assistant, caring for others, is where she thrived. Rocky was a selfless woman who helped those who felt helpless. She could make anyone feel important and cared for.
She enjoyed arts and crafts, loved spending time on the lake and being on the pontoon, being with her dogs (who she spoiled rotten), and was always very generous with lending a helping hand to those in need, even before taking care of herself. Even though it was quite painful for her boys, she forced them to watch “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” among other reality shows that she loved. She had a love for life that was unmatched and will be deeply missed by those who knew her.
Rocky is survived by her husband of 36 years, Pat; sons, Derek & Dylan; brother, Brian (Doris) Ekeland, Durango, CO; sister, Cheryl (Donovan) Wadholm Sr. and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 18 at Amundson Funeral Home with visitation from 1-2 pm prior to the service.
