Herman "Sonny" Royseth

Herman “Sonny” Royseth, age 98, of Duluth, MN, passed away on May 2, 2025, surrounded by family at Solvay Hospice House. He was born April 2, 1927, in Duluth, MN, the son of Hjalmer Royseth and Anna Espeland Royseth.

During summers as a teen, he worked with his father on various concrete jobs as well as at Fraser Shipyard welding. Herman enlisted into the Navy and served on the USS Revenge Mine Sweeper until the end of WW II. He married Marlene Gunderson on September 28, 1956. They celebrated 57 years of marriage and had four children.

He was employed on the lake freighter John Holst as an oiler. Herman retired from the federal government at the Duluth Sage building. After retiring, Herman worked for the EPA lab.

Herman was a quiet, humble man with a dry sense of humor. His passion was fishing and his church was the outdoors. He planned many fishing trips to Alaska and Canada.

Herman enjoyed serving his family, friends and neighbors. He was frequently called upon to assist in new construction, remodels, repairs and for his advice. It didn’t matter what it was, if there was work to be done, dad was there.

Herman and Marlene enjoyed dancing and would often be joined by siblings and friends. A favorite past-time for Herman was playing cribbage and daily crossword puzzles.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Marlene; sister, Ingrid Smith and brother, Harold. Herman is survived by his son, Mark (Natasha) Royseth of Maple Grove; his daughters, Susan (Russell) Grover of Willow River, Sandra (Benjamin) Manley of Duluth, Rhonda Firestone-Oland of Nolensville, TN; 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; one brother, Raymond Royseth of Hoyt Lakes; sisters, Judy (John) Caven of Duluth and Haldis Paugh of Duluth; sister in laws, Gloria Royseth of Duluth, Diane Thompson of Duluth and Gail Gunderson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held May 24, 2025, 1 pm, at Bremen Woods Resort, Willow River, MN.

The family would like to thank the staff of Solvay Hospice House for their compassionate care of both of their parents. Memorials may be made to Solvay Hospice House in Herman & Marlene’s memory. Arrangements by Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home.