Obituary: Dr. Roger Erdahl

Former Esko teacher Dr. Roger Erdahl, 75, passed away peacefully at his home in Bloomington, Minnesota on Sunday, May 12, 2024, after a bravely fought battle with brain cancer. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother, and leaves behind cherished memories and a legacy of kindness.

Roger was born on Dec. 26, 1948, in Benson, Minnesota. He graduated from Glenwood High School, where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Marlene. He proceeded to get his undergraduate degree from Moorhead State University, master's degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, specialist degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Superior, and doctorate from St. Thomas University.

He was a natural teacher, and began his career teaching in Esko. He became a principal in Antigo, Wisconsin, and finished his career as superintendent of schools in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

Family was the most important thing to Roger, and he believed that family should always be there to help each other. He and Marlene were married for 55 years, and had three sons and seven grandchildren, whom he loved to play with. He also enjoyed reading, golfing, bird hunting, cross country skiing, dancing, music, and driving the tractor on the farm.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Marlys Erdahl; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harold and Myrel Jaeger; his brother, Doug Erdahl; sister Karen Klaahsen; brothers-in-law, Tom Klaahsen and Jim Dunne; and sister-in-law Barb Erdahl Thue. He is survived by his wife, Marlene; sons Mike (Jess), Grant (Meagan) and Blake (Renee); sister Chloe (Paul) Holtberg; and grandchildren, Henry, McCartney, Cash, Braxton, Harrison, Everett and Elise.

Visitation: 12 p.m. until the 1 p.m. celebration of life on Sunday, May 19 at Peace Church, 8600 E. Bush Lake Road, Bloomington MN 55438. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorials to a scholarship fund it has established for the Rhinelander school district in Dr. Roger Erdahl's honor: Rhinelander Area Scholarship Foundation, 665 Coolidge Ave. B, Rhinelander WI 54501.

Pine Knot News, May 17, 2024