Roy Toivonen

Memorial services for Roy Toivonen of Starbuck, MN will be a private family service.  Visitation will be Thursday, October 29, 2020 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck.

There will be a live stream of Roy's service starting at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 30, 2020.  To view the service on the Pedersen Funeral Home website, scroll to the bottom of Roy's page and clink the link.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to accommodate gatherings of up to 250 people. The use of face masks by attendees is required, and we will continue taking the necessary steps to keep our facility clean. For those who prefer or require continued precautions, webcasting and/or livestreaming is available in most situations.

Roy Lenard Toivonen was born on November 11, 1940 during the Armistice Day blizzard in Duluth, Minnesota.  Roy passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, October 24 at the age of 79.

Roy grew up in Duluth, graduating from Denfeld High School in 1959. He started his love of sports there, playing basketball and football. Roy then attended Concordia College in Moorhead, earning a degree in Business Education in 1963. He also played football at Concordia.

While attending Concordia, Roy and 2 buddies were looking for a place to live. They found a basement apartment for rent, and who do you think lived upstairs? A young gal named Judy Czichotzki, who would become the love of his life. They would be married in 1961 at Our Redeemers Lutheran Church in Moorhead. They celebrated 59 years of marriage.

Roy’s first teaching job was in Ulen, Minnesota, where he taught for 2 years. They then moved to a new job teaching business education at Starbuck High School for 26 years, then finished his teaching career with 6 years at Minnewaska High School. Roy coached many sports throughout his career, but without a doubt, coaching the “B” team basketball in Starbuck is what he is best remembered for.

Roy retired in 1997. This allowed him to spend more time golfing at the Minnewaska Golf Club. He loved golfing with his buddies. He also got to spend more time attending his grandkid’s different activities. He absolutely loved cheering them on in all their sports.

One of Roy’s favorite activities was spending time on Little Cormorant Lake surrounded by family. There were many happy times spent at the Czichotzki lake home!

Roy and Judy spent 12 years being snowbirds, where they traveled to Arizona for the winter months. They so enjoyed their time there, being with family members and getting to know new friends during “Happy Hours.”

Roy passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud.  He was 79 years old.

He is survived by his wife, Judy of Starbuck; two sons: Greg (Karen) Toivonen of Alexandria and Doug (Lisa) Toivonen of Red Wing; five grandchildren: Marisa, Isaac, Grant, Travis and Mitchell Toivonen; brother-in-law: Mark (LaVerne) Czichotzki of Audobon and sisters-in-law: Darlene Sundblad of Fargo and Cheryl (Jerry) Melby of Starbuck.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brother: Raymond Toivonen; nephew: Bruce Toivonen; brothers-in-law: Fred Sundblad and Wayne (Jolene) Czichotzki and sister-in-law: Marilyn (Don) Forness

Starbuck Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.