Roger Stephen Pauluk

Roger Stephen Pauluk, born on April 15, 1947, in La Paz, Bolivia, where his parents served as missionaries under the World Mission Prayer League, peacefully went to be with the Lord on June 6, 2025, at the M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center - East Bank in Minneapolis.

Roger's early life was marked by resilience and faith. Born with spina bifida, he underwent surgery to close the bifida in his lower spine just a day after his birth, a critical procedure performed by a missionary surgeon. His godmother held a surgical book open for the surgeon for him to refer to as he did the surgery. Roger’s journey continued as his family homeschooled him in the remote Coaba Farm in Bolivia, living without electricity until they returned to the United States in 1957. Upon their return, Roger became a naturalized citizen, and his family briefly resided in Florida before moving back to Minnesota.

He graduated from Marshall High School in 1965 and initially enrolled at Minneapolis College for two years before transferring to Augsburg College, where he majored in music with a concentration in strings. He graduated in 1969 and in 1973 pursued his passion for ministry, attending the Association of Free Lutherans Seminary in Medicine Lake, Minnesota.

Roger was instrumental in the Christian League for the Handicapped, collaborating with his dear friend Larry Soukup, where he met Suzanne Marie Grovender. They were married on August 30th 1974.

Roger's career was dedicated to music, education, and ministry. He taught orchestra in the Blue Earth School system and later worked at Patchin Appraisals. Roger provided private music lessons for about 40 years. He was listed in the 281 school district directory as a private violin and viola teacher and also taught through Schmidt's music store. Many of his students were preparing to audition for the greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony. Roger actively participated in various musical groups, including tours with Northwestern College Orchestra, when they needed extra string musicians, the Jewish Community Orchestra and was involved in numerous church musicals.

Roger’s commitment extended beyond music. Roger served as the state-wide handicapped accessibility coordinator in the Minnesota Department of Administration and was also the coordinator of services for people with physical disabilities through Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council. He was instrumental in founding an organization that provided services, resources and political advocacy for people with disabilities. Roger also contributed to organizations such as Speak-out and HEAR-US. He was the assistant directer for Wings, which provided critical support and outreach for Christians with disabilities. His efforts through these organizations, included organizing regular meetings, retreats, and fundraising activities, significantly impacting many lives.

Roger was ordained as a minister at Northwest Christian Fellowship Church on January 12, 1985. This enabled him to take a position as a chaplain at Travilla of Robbinsdale. When this position was defunded in the early 2000’s, Roger received feedback from many people who had moved from Travilla to group homes, that their spiritual needs were not being met. To help fill this need Roger and Suzanne established Care and Share Ministries, where the focus was group home and hospital visits. Roger and Suzanne wrote a quarterly newsletter for outreach and fundraising to help support this home ministry. They also did handicapped awareness presentations at churches. Roger was on the board of City Life Works, a ministry of the Evangelical Church, that was later developed as a 501c3 nonprofit organization. He was also chairman of the retired ministerial group when he resided at Maranatha Care Center.

In his personal life, Roger enjoyed camping, attending concerts and plays, exploring the Minnesota State Fair and the Renaissance Festival. Roger was a member of the Spina Bifida Association, and loved attending the annual picnic where he enjoyed a speedy ride from a member of the Minneapolis Corvette Club. He lived in Minneapolis and Crystal before moving to Maranatha Care Center in Brooklyn Center as his health declined.

Roger is survived by his loving wife, Suzanne; sister-in-law Marrielle (Fred) Ogimachi; brother-in-law Kelby (Mary) Grovender; nieces and nephews Adrian Ogimachi, Tiffany (Jeff) Dose, Kia Grovender, Tristan Grovender, Joshua Grovender, Jennifer Buresh and Kate Buresh (Curt) Olson, as well as several great-nieces and great-nephews, Ellie, Liam, and Hattie Dose, Christian Sims and Staff Sargent Jacob Zastoupil.

He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Josephine (nee Langness) Pauluk, and his brother, Daniel Pauluk.

Roger Stephen Pauluk leaves behind a legacy of compassion, service, and music that will continue to inspire all who knew him. His gentle spirit, unwavering faith, and dedication to helping others will be fondly remembered by family, friends, and the many communities he touched throughout his life.

Suzanne, as well as Roger’s extended family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and expressions of sympathy.