Roger Emmett Swenson

Swenson, Roger E. age 90 of Chanhassen, MN passed away, Sunday, November 7, 2021, formerly of Fargo, ND. He is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Melvin Swenson and Emma Bertina Swenson; sister, Doris Haugen; grandson, Andrew Karlsson Swenson. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, LuJean (Ness) Swenson; children J. Mark Swenson, Solvei (Todd) Wilmot, Dan (Lisa) Swenson; sister, Bernice Mattke; grandchildren Ben Swenson, Mike (Alesha) Swenson, Luther Wilmot, and Sam Wilmot; nieces and nephews.



Roger was born on the farmstead outside of Clinton, MN. He was the youngest of three children. As a young child Roger would stand behind the large radio console, drape a cloth over it and pretend to be a pastor. He also helped on the farm at a young age plowing fields and other farm chores. When he was in high school, he started his own combining contractor service. He purchased a Cockshut combine with a loan and paid off the loan in two seasons. Following high school, he co-managed a skating rink in Clinton (continued his contracting work too) and earned money to attend Concordia College, Moorhead MN. While attending college he met LuJean Ness through a blind date. After he graduated college, he married LuJean. They moved to St. Paul, MN where he attended Luther Theological Seminary and LuJean worked as a teacher. After his Ordination, he was employed by Concordia College, Moorhead, MN and became the Director of Administration. While at Concordia, Roger and LuJean had three children, Jan Mark, M. Daniel and Solvei Marie.



Roger continued to expand his education by attending Harvard Business College Master program in Boston, Massachusetts for a summer and then returned to work with Concordia College.



After 13 years in Moorhead, the family moved to Edina, MN. Roger took a job with Fairview Health systems in Minneapolis as Vice President of Foundation Department. The job had a broad variety of duties. He watched surgeries from the observation window, learned about scoliosis and the Herrington Rod. He also travelled for Fairview. He went to Iran to work with the Health Minister and develop a health system for the country. This venture ended with the Iranian Revolution.



His next job was with the American Lutheran Church headquarters in Minneapolis. As Vice-President of Development. He enjoyed working with the church until the headquarters moved to Chicago, IL. Because he wished to stay in Minnesota, he took a job as Vice President of the Foundation for the Minnesota Orchestra. Another job he enjoyed that also brought the benefit of many orchestra concerts.



The next job brought him and LuJean to Jamestown, ND, where he took a job with Anne Carlsen School and Center for Children with Disabilities. He was the Director of the Development Office and enjoyed learning about the unique programs the school offered. After five years, he retired and Roger and LuJean moved back to Fargo, ND.



He and LuJean were able to enjoy worldwide travels together, with family and dear friends. A few highlights of his travels were participating in an Archeological dig in Israel and travelling the Pacific route of the World War II battle fronts. He enjoyed exploring his Swedish and Norwegian heritage. Roger and LuJean enjoyed their condo in Sun City, AZ during the winter months.



As he aged, Roger and LuJean decided to move back to the Minneapolis area. They moved into Riley Crossing Independent and Assisted Living facility in Chanhassen, MN.



Roger felt an education is never wasted. Learn and you will find what interests you. He felt politics and religion are the most influential forces you will encounter in people throughout the world. Learn so that you can understand what has influenced people.



Memorial service will be held, Tuesday, November 16, 2p.m., at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church west campus, 7150 Rolling Acres Rd, Victoria, MN 55331. A lunch will follow, Masks Required, at Riley Crossing Senior Living, 620 Aldrich Dr, Community Room, Chanhassen, MN 55317.



Memorials may be given to:



Children's Cancer Research https://childrenscancer.org/donate/?gclid=CjwKCAiAvriMBhAuEiwA8Cs5lWKQyomdf7P0iDkdlqkizKNOvfg5kwVY3lspkEMjiM_CrLVBplZ1BhoCA7cQAvD_BwE



Evangelical Luther Church Mission https://community.elca.org/givenow



Lutheran Social Services https://www.lssmn.org/get-involved/donate



Concorida College https://www.concordiacollege.edu/giving/