It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely and sudden passing of Mapleton Firefighter Timothy Royce. After responding on two emergency calls on Thursday March 29, Firefighter Royce suffered an apparent heart attack during the morning hours of March 30, when he was found by co-workers. Firefighter Royce leaves behind two children; Katelyn (age 24) and Jacob (age 22). His parents preceded him in death. He joined the fire department in 2001 and previously served as Second Assistant Chief.
Visitation: Saturday, April 7, 2018 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm; Woodland Hills Funeral Home, 1605 Woodland Ave, Mankato, MN 56001
Visitation prior to the funeral: Sunday, April 8, 2018 from 12:00 am to 1:00 pm; Maple River High School, 101 6th Ave SE, Mapleton, MN 56065
Funeral / Memorial Service: Sunday, April 8, 2018, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm; Maple River High School, 101 6th Ave SE, Mapleton, MN 56065
Obituary for Timothy Royce:
It is with broken hearts that the family of Timothy (Tim) Wayne Royce announces his sudden and unexpected passing on Friday March 30, 2018.
Tim was born to Roger and Mavis Royce on May 7, 1960. He grew up in Good Thunder alongside his three beloved sisters and attended St. John’s Lutheran School and was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church.
As a boy he enjoy playing football, wrestling, being in Boy Scouts, and exploring the outdoors. Tim graduated from Amboy-Good Thunder High School and moved to Mankato for machinist training and a career with Kato Engineering. He also enjoyed working at the roller rink and coaching softball.
Tim married Nancy Bieraugel and together they moved to Mapleton in 1992 to raise their two children. In 2001, Tim switched careers to work at Dietz Foods, where he met many new friends and developed deep ties to the community. Tim was a dedicated member of the Mapleton Fire Department until the end and loved his time in leadership and service for the department and the family he found within its members.
Tim was a spiritual leader in the church and in our family, finding joy in fellowship and in worship with his beautiful singing voice. Tim also enjoyed golf, curling, fishing, hunting, and opening his doors and his heart to his community and many great friends in Mapleton. Perhaps his greatest joy, however, was being a devoted and loving father to his two children.
He is survived by his daughter Katelyn Royce and his son Jacob Royce, Sisters Nancy Goodwin (Tony), Laurie Ertman (Steve) and Lisa Bjorklund (Tony), seven nieces and nephews and 6 great nephews and nieces.
Visitation will be held at Woodland Hills Funeral Home on Saturday, April 7th from 2-5 pm and his Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, April 8th at 1 pm at the Maple River High School AAA Auditorium. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred and will be shared with Tim’s favorite charities.