Roger Gerszewski

Roger Thomas Gerszewski died August 27, 2023 at St Vincent Hospital in Billings, Montana after having a stroke at age 69 with his daughter, Sherry, at his side. Roger was born in Karlstad, MN to Thomas and Christine (Szklarski) on October 6, 1953 and was raised on the family farm, rural Newfolden, MN. He graduated from Marshall County Central in Newfolden, MN in 1971 and joined the US Army right after graduation, serving one year in the Vietnam war. He served for some time at Fort Knox, KY and the remainder of his term in the National Guard in Thief River Falls, MN.

Roger married Lorie Anderson October 18, 1975, after returning from Vietnam. They had two daughters Sarita and Sherry. They lived in Minneapolis, MN, where he worked at Roger's chainsaw sales and repair until his divorce in January 1980.

Roger moved to Enid, Oklahoma in the spring of 1981. In 1986 Roger started selling and installing solar systems and siding houses. He started working for Realeasy oil fields of Enid which was later bought by Triple LLL. There he met Jerretta Soapes, who worked as a secretary. They married in September of 1988 and moved to Elk City, OK in 1990. A few years later he bought out a boat repair shop, along with a big house and he named the business Roger's repair, which he ran for many years. When he got too busy with boat repairs, he only did repairs on his solar units.

After his divorce he moved into his shop along with his 2 dogs until 2010. He had an accident in 2011 and was in failing health for several years, living with his brother Francis in Enid then moving to MN in July of 2016. He lived with his brother Patrick working at Petro Pumper until October of 2018 when he retired. Roger moved to Gallatin Gateway, MT in August of 2022 to be closer to his daughter, Sherry.

Roger enjoyed repairing motors and engines, and tinkering on anything not running smoothly. He loved listening to music, gardening and helping the elderly ladies at his apartment with their gardening. He kept an onion in his Mom's garden to grow seed onions, and he liked to go for the weekends to help his parents with chores or drive them to appointments. After he returned to MN Roger enjoyed relaxing at the lake and an occasional fishing outing. Once, he took his ailing Dad out ice fishing after he became too sick to get out there on his own and ended up in a snow storm.

He is survived by daughters, Sarita (Travis) Viestenz of Fargo, ND and Sherry of Gallatin Gateway, MT; Grandchildren Andrew Heinen (Adriana Woltjer), Alexis and Jeremiah Viestenz; Alecia (Alex) Wells and William Morris; Great grandchildren Evangeline Wells and Iris Elizabeth Heinen. Sisters Arlette (Ronald) Haupt of Sioux Falls, SD; Paulette (Kelly) Holthusen of Thief River Falls, MN; JoAnn (Kenneth) Ignaszewski of Warroad MN; brothers Francis (Anne) Gerszewski of Enid, OK and Patrick (Nancy) Gerszewski of Newfolden, MN; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Christine Gerszewski in 2022; his grandparents and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

A burial service is being planned with a celebration of life.