Roger Lynn Magnusson

Memorial Service: https://vimeo.com/event/4870136

Tribute Video: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/NFFG53CXKLRQYCHG

Roger Lynn Magnusson was born on December 19, 1947 in Grafton, ND to Herman and Verna (Hodgins) Magnusson. He was proud of being baptized at Vikur Lutheran Church in Mountain, ND, the oldest Icelandic Lutheran Church in America.

The family moved often following Herman’s work in construction. In the fall of 1955 they settled in on the corner of 11th St. & 11th Ave. in North Moorhead. Roger started 4th grade at George Washington Elementary and attended Sunday School at Our Saviors Lutheran Church where he was confirmed in 1962.

During his growing up years, Roger participated in Cub Scouts and then Troop 638 where his dad was scoutmaster. He loved going to Camp Wilderness, participating in Jamborees and the annual Scout Fairs. While a Star Scout he earned the God, Home and Country Award. Faith was paramount in Roger’s life. He loved reading about, studying and living out his faith.

He graduated from Moorhead High School in 1965. After high school, Roger’s education came in 2 year increments, first at Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, Waldorf University in Forest City, IA and Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. He graduated from Concordia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History.

Following college, Roger attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN for 2 years and worked as a chaplain at Camp Wilderness during the summer. Following seminary, Roger worked as an orderly at Ebenezer Senior Living in St. Paul.

On March 17, 1979, Roger was united in marriage to Patricia Martinson.

While living in St. Paul, Roger fell and broke his hip. The doctors recognized that Roger had an advanced form of osteoporosis. The result was that he was disabled and unable to work. Shortly after that, they moved to Fargo-Moorhead. In Fargo Roger enjoyed Bible Study Fellowship and Bible studies at his church. He was an avid reader and we joked that he had read every WWll book in the Fargo Public Library. Roger was a “walker” and walked his north Fargo neighborhood regularly - sampling the cookies at the bank, reading at the Northport library, and visiting with whomever he met along the way.

For the last 3 years of his life, Roger was a resident of Assisted Living at Bethany on University. He used his tall walker to cruise the halls of Bethany and enjoyed sitting by the fireplace to visit with whoever came by. He was happy there and loved his Bethany Family.

Roger passed away on January 8 under the care of The Cedars nurses at Bethany on University and Hospice of the Red River Valley with his sister, Sue, by his side.

Roger is survived by his sisters, Sue (Jeff) McCracken and Debra (Jeff) Roel; and one brother, Tim (Marilyn) Magnusson; numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Please send memorials in memory of Roger Magnusson for Camp Wilderness to:

Boy Scouts of America, Northern Lights Council 4200 19 Ave. South, Fargo, ND 58103