Roger L. GAGNELIUS

FUNERAL HOME

Sandberg Funeral & Cremation Services

2593 East 7th Avenue

North Saint Paul, Minnesota

Roger GAGNELIUS Obituary

Name: Funeral service for Roger L. GAGNELIUS
Start: 2016-07-21T16:00:00.000Z
Location: Sandberg Funeral & Cremation Services

Age 85 of St. Paul, MN Died on July 13, 2016 Preceded in death by his parents and brother Richard. Survived by nephews, Steve (Nancy), Bruce (Annette), Ron; and niece Susie (Steve); great nieces and nephews, Jennifer (Gary, Lisa, Ashley, Chad (Amber), Brian, Michael (Bridget), Sara (Jon), Justin, Kevin (Mollie), Daniel (Stacey), and Beth (Shawn); many great-great nieces and nephews; adopted grand daughter Gracie; and friend Phil. Funeral service 11 AM, Thursday, July 21st at SANDBERG FUNERAL HOME, 2593 E. 7th Ave., North St. Paul, MN with a visitation 1 hour prior. Interment at Union Cemetery. www.sandbergfuneralhome.com (651)777-2600

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Published by Pioneer Press on Jul. 19, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Roger GAGNELIUS

Sponsored by St Paul Pioneer Press.

7 Entries

Don Browne

July 21, 2016

I have fond memories of watching sporting events at his house with Phil. Roger was a gracious house & a gentle soul.

Beth Geretschlaeger

July 21, 2016

Roger was an amazing man. Always smiling, always so happy to see the kids, all of us. I remember as I was growing up he'd measure me with the buttons on his shirt because you know he was always wearing a button up shirt!

This past week I made a little pit stop at the old cabin. The trailer is gone, but the addition is still there. It smelled the same and all the memories rushed back. It was so hard to hold back tears but it was the windiest I had ever seen it on the lake. Huge white caps! You would of said, not a good fishing day today! Then we would have stayed in and played cards and other games. Lots of my favorite childhood memories are from up at the cabin with Roger. I plan on making pit stops when I can and maybe dropping a line in the lake to see if the sunnies still bite like the used to. So, for now it's goodbye, until we meet again!

James Chase

July 19, 2016

I enjoyed knowing Rodger at Honeywell, and after our retirements, at the monthly lunch for Honeywell Instrument Lab retirees--and, at the annual Pearl Harbor day lunch. Roger will now be added to the deceased family members and friends that I pray for.

Ron Gagnelius

July 19, 2016

I will miss all the conversations with Roger while driving him to and from family gatherings and medical appt.s,everything from politics,unions and the VA.I heard many stories about what he and my dad did as kids growing up poor and some of the jobs they had.I will miss those rides.

Kevin Gagnelius

July 19, 2016

He'll be missed by many. My Saturday mornings will never be the same.

Jim Asp

July 19, 2016

Roger was my neighbor growing up. Will always remember him and I going on bike-rides around Lake Phalen. He often talked about his work in Electronics and his "VTVM" (Vacuum Tube Volt Meter) which was a very precise instrument for it's time. I'm pretty sure that he influenced my eventual career in Electronics, Hobby Electronics and Amateur Radio. Over the 40 years since, I would always stop by and see him when he was outside or on his porch. Roger was a great guy and will be missed by many.

Phil Manz

July 19, 2016

Hard to overestimate the impact Roger had in Grace and my life. With the exception of one year when Grace lived in Brooklyn Center, Roger was available to either take her to school himself, drive her to the bus stop or offer a treat and conversation at his house when she returned from the bus stop from kindergarten through high school. Short of living with us, Roger was always there giving encouragement, listening, telling stories and saying there is treat in the freezer or a pop for you in the refrigerator.

I would learn just recently, Grace was not the only person who benefited from his affection and generosity. Turns out young people for years have been coming to his house to experience his warm embrace. To come into his house and see Roger watching BET, because that is what his guest wanted to watch was just hilarious. He wanted you to be happy and welcome at his house.

Prior to our arrival in the neighborhood in 1993, he had coached kids for years even decades with his brother Richard who passed away a few years ago. They also owned a lake place near McGregor in northern Minnesota for years where they hosted the larger Gagnelius clan. Roger would tell stories of relatives coming up dropping their kids off with him and heading straight into the to the lake or hopping on a a boat in the lake, I suppose I would have done the same thing with someone like Roger around.

He served with distinction in Korea earning a Purple Heart and was a proud union steward, sharing stories of each of these experiences with you readily. I loved hearing his stories. One final story to share: Having watched Notre Dame football games for 40 years, I have seen a number of thrillers with one of the top 5 being the Pittsburgh game in 2012. I watched the fourth quarter with Roger. As the game went into overtime, field goals were being exchanged with Pittsburgh lining up for a chip shot (Viking fans think of the Seattle game this year). As they are lining up, Roger belts out, "He is going to miss it." Sure enough he did and we roared in celebration. I am so grateful for all the times spent roaring and talking with Roger.

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