Roger L. Kofstad

Memorial services for Roger Kofstad of Warroad, MN will be held on Friday, April 9th at 1:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church in Warroad.  Visitation will be on Thursday from 5-7 with a 7:00 Prayer Service AT THE CHURCH.  Interment will be at a later date in Malung Cemetery. Military Honors by the Warroad American Legion.  

A memorial service, following MN State Covid Guidelines, for Roger Kofstad of Warroad, MN will be held on Friday, April 9 at 1:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church in Warroad.  Visitation will be held Thursday, April 8 from 5 to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM at Zion Lutheran Church.   Interment will be at Malung Cemetery for immediate family at a later date.

Roger Lawrence Kofstad went to his heavenly home on April 3, 2021.  He passed peacefully at home after battling pancreatic cancer bravely and head on for six months.  Roger was born in rural Salol, MN on August 26, 1940 to Lawrence and Gena (Qualey) Kofstad.  He grew up on the family farm north of Warroad and attended school at the Longworth School until it closed.  Roger then attended Warroad School except for seventh grade when his family lived in Roseau.  The family relocated to Warroad and Roger graduated from WHS in 1958. 

Roger joined the US Army in June 1958 and was honorably discharged in May 1961. 

Roger’s life story was changed and written on July 15, 1961 when he attended his cousins wedding.  He met the best friend of the bride and that young lady would become his wife.  In fact, a week after that wedding Roger moved to Silver Bay and got a job with the help of his future mother-in-law.  Roger and Susan Nicholson were wed December 8, 1961 at the Baptist Church in Silver Bay.  In 1963, Roger and Sue moved to California and owned and operated Kofstad Leasing and Kofstad Manufacturing.  While living in California, Lori Ann and LynnAnn were born.  In August 1972, the Kofstad family moved home to Minnesota and Roger made a living farming and in the construction field, building many family homes north of Warroad.  After the Roger and Sue settled back in Minnesota, their son Lee was born.

Many years before Sue retired, Roger and Sue headed down to Lake Havasu City, Arizona for winter visits to family and friends.  Once Sue retired in 2005, Roger and Sue made yearly trips to their winter home in Lake Havasu and created many memories there with family and friends. Roger enjoyed visits from everyone and you were definitely shown the sights and the area when you went to visit. Even the best places to eat- Weinerschnitzel was always on the list!  Sue retired, Roger did not.  Roger had little projects he was always working on in Lake Havasu, his largest building a patio on top of their house to overlook the water of Arizona and California.  Many beautiful sunrise and sunset pictures have been taken from that patio as well as memories.

Summers in Minnesota were filled with many adventures and activities that involved the family, especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Roger spent endless hours teaching Keegan the in and outs of farming, including repair of machinery and getting something to work his way.  Roger had a knack to make anything work!  The two were inseparable. Roger passed down life lessons to his children and grandchildren and was very involved with their lives and accomplishments.  He spent hours with them in the deer stand, local arenas and soccer and baseball fields, fixing their vehicles, and attending as many of their activities and events that he could, along with doing whatever he could to help them out.  Camping trips and just hanging out made the summers memorable. The grandchildren made life great and the last five years were spent doting on the great grandchildren as they came along.

Roger had a great life and met all the challenges head on.  In addition to his pancreatic battle, Roger beat and won the battle with prostate cancer and skin cancer.  The biggest challenge and fight came in the spring of 1997 when Roger was diagnosed with the genetic condition Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.  On September 18, 1997, Roger received a liver transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.  This miracle gave the family many wonderful years of “borrowed” time that they are forever grateful for.  Roger was a true fighter. 

Roger was preceded in death by his son Lee (July 2011), his parents Lawrence and Gena, his in-laws Earl and Inez Nicholson, brother Myron, and brother-in-law Maynard Wick.

Roger is survived by his wife of 59 ½ years, Susan, daughters Lori Ann and LynnAnn, and daughter-in-law Xan (Garrett).  Grandchildren Kylie Ann (Eric), Keegan (Taylor), MacKenzie Ann, MacKaelie Ann, Ajay, Cam, and Mya.  Great grandchildren Jazzy Lee, Macklyn, and Hayes. 

Roger is also survived by his sister Loretta, sister-in-law Carol, and brother William (Barb).  Roger is survived by his special “brother” and friend Joe and Gina.  Roger is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

God bless the memory of Roger.  Thank you for the memories!

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