Roger Eugene Syvertsen

"There is grief that comes and lingers and burns through years of watching a loved one decline and disappear then finally die. It is combined with relief - that suffering is over, that heaven has welcomed, that a legacy lives on." -Wendy Jo Cerna

Roger Eugene Syvertsen was born on April 17, 1934, in Albert Lea, MN the eldest son of Anders and Esther (Erickson) Syvertsen and passed away peacefully at Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, ND on Friday, April 21, 2023.

He grew up and attended school in Albert Lea, learned to fly before he could even get a license to drive a car, then followed his passion by serving in the United States Air Force. Roger attended Stout State University in Menominee, WI earning a Bachelor's degree in 1959. Roger married Florence Bakke, the love of his life, on April 13, 1957, in Albert Lea, MN. He was a very loyal and devoted husband. Together they raised four children, Keith, Kathy, Julie and Craig.

Roger enjoyed sharing stories about being a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force and his 66 years of marriage to Florence. He was honorably discharged from active military service on December 24, 1954. An avid sportsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, trap shooting, camping and thoroughly embraced the great outdoors. He had a lifelong love of Amateur Radio, started Brainerd Area Amateur Radio Club in Brainerd, MN (currently 90 members strong) and was their President for several years. He remained active in local Amateur Radio Relay Leagues, spending hours talking to Ham Radio operators from around the world.

Roger initially taught industrial arts at Roseville High School in Minnesota then worked in industry, leading UNIVAC in their computer endeavors including training overseas. He taught at Brainerd Senior High School and proudly developed their electricity and electronics programs including the very first high school computer training curriculum in the state of Minnesota for his students. Additionally, Roger stayed busy repairing electronics with his Small Appliance Repair Service business. He returned to teaching and computer maintenance at NCR and ATT in Dayton, Ohio until he retired in July of 1995. Roger and Florence enjoyed living in both Tennessee and Florida, moving to Grand Forks, ND in 2005.

Roger is survived by his loving wife, Florence, his children and their spouses, Keith (Teresa) Syvertsen, Kathy (Steven) Foss, Julie (Wira) Soekoro and Craig (Maria) Syvertsen; grandchildren, Kurtis (Jillian) Syvertsen, Kristen (Alex) Hyland, Kayla (Bill) Martin, Kimberly (Daniel) O'Brien, Jacob (Jennifer) Freeman, Jennifer Freeman, Mischa Soekoro, Angelica Soekoro, Viviana Syvertsen and Maria Syvertsen; great-grandchildren Lucy Syvertsen, Jasmine Mize, Ebba Martin, Jacqueline O'Brien, Morgan O'Brien, Weston O'Brien, Afton Gowan; sister Kay (Chris) Skaar, sister-in-law Fran Bakke and brother-in-law, Jerome Bakke.

Special thanks to the Red River Valley Hospice team, especially Chaplain Debbie, Chaplain Dave, Judy and Louise, for providing care, assistance and friendship to both Roger and Florence over the past three years. A special thank you to Roger's Hospice volunteer, Marion Baker for her very thoughtful visits, treats and handmade gifts during this time.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Hospice of the Red River Valley-Green Team, 1701 38th Street South, Suite 101, Fargo, ND 58103-4499.

Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2023, in the Historic Norman Funeral Home Chapel, Grand Forks, ND.
Family Greeting: One hour prior to the service in the funeral home on Saturday.
Interment: 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, 2023 in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.
Military Honors: Accorded by members of the American Legion Post 157, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817 and the Grand Forks Air Force Base Honor Guard.