Governor Dayton Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff in Honor and Remembrance of Mapleton Firefighter Timothy Wayne Royce
ST. PAUL, MN – In honor and remembrance of Mapleton Firefighter Timothy Wayne Royce, Governor Mark Dayton has ordered all United States flags and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sunrise until sunset, on Sunday, April 8, 2018.
Royce, fifty-eight years of age, was a seventeen-year veteran of the Mapleton Fire Department. He grew up in Good Thunder, and graduated from Amboy-Good Thunder High School. In addition to his public service, Royce worked at Dietz Foods in Mapleton and was an active member of Faith Bible Church.
Royce passed away suddenly on Friday, March 30, 2018, from a heart attack after responding to a traffic crash and medical call. He is survived by his daughter, Katelyn; son, Jacob; and sisters, Nancy, Laurie, and Lisa.
A celebration of Royce’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 8, 2018, at Maple River High School in Mapleton. A visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at Woodland Hills Funeral Home in Mankato.
At the direction of the Governor, Minnesota flies its flags at half-staff following the death of Minnesota first responders fallen in the line of duty, on the day of interment.
Governor Dayton’s proclamation reads as follows:
WHEREAS: Firefighter Timothy Wayne Royce, fifty-eight years of age, was a seventeen-year veteran of the Mapleton Fire Department; and
WHEREAS: Royce grew up in Good Thunder, and graduated from Amboy-Good Thunder High School; and
WHEREAS: Royce was an exemplary firefighter, and was admired and respected by his colleagues; and
WHEREAS: In addition to his public service with the Mapleton Fire Department, Royce also worked at Dietz Foods in Mapleton; and
WHEREAS: Royce died on Friday, March 30, 2018, from a heart attack after responding to a traffic crash and medical call the previous afternoon and evening; and
WHEREAS: Royce was a devoted father to his two children; and
WHEREAS: Royce will be remembered and loved by his children, Katelyn and Jacob; sisters Nancy Goodwin (Tony), Laurie Ertman (Steve), and Lisa Bjorklund (Tony); and many other relatives, friends, and community members; and
WHEREAS: Royce had an open heart to his community and his many friends, and was an active member of the Faith Bible Church; and
WHEREAS: A celebration of Royce’s life will be held on Sunday, April 8, 2018, at Maple River High School in Mapleton; and
WHEREAS: The State of Minnesota recognizes Firefighter Timothy Wayne Royce for his dedicated service to, and sacrifice for, his fellow citizens of Minnesota with its deepest gratitude, and all thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and entire community.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MARK DAYTON, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby order all United States flags and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sunrise until sunset, on Sunday, April 8, 2018, in honor and remembrance of Firefighter Timothy Wayne Royce.