Roger L. Munson

The Reverend Roger L. Munson, 90, Bishop emeritus of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, entered the Church Triumphant on November 28 in Duluth. He was born in Cannon Falls, MN December 31, 1934, the son of Martin and Doris Munson. He graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN with a B.A. in Sociology and from Augustana Lutheran Theological Seminary, Rock Island IL in 1961 with a Master of Divinity and he was then ordained into the Augustana Lutheran Church. He served congregations in Hanford, CA, Excelsior and Hopkins, MN and also the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Duluth, MN. In 1987 he was elected the first bishop of and organized the NEMS of the ELCA from which he retired in 1996 after 35 years of full-time ministry. Following retirement, he served in development work for Lutheran Social Service of MN for a few years and did guest pulpit supply for 25 years.

After meeting at a freshman dance at Gustavus, he married Helen E. Sandgren, his loving wife of 68 years, in 1956. They have three sons, Carl, Mark and William.

During his years of ministry, he served on numerous church and community boards: Northwestern Theological Seminary, Luther Theological seminary, Lutheran Social Service of MN, Board of Social Ministry of MN, Council of Churches, Gustavus Adolphus College Assoc. of Congregations, ELCA boards: Conference of Bishops, Division for Ministry and Social Responsibility Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry. In Duluth: American Cancer Society, United Way, Lighthouse for the Blind, Soup Kitchen, Lions Club, St. Luke’s and St. Mary’s Hospital Clergy Advisory Committee, St. Luke’s hospital Human Studies Committee.

In his retirement he enjoyed spending time at their cabin doing wood working and making log furniture, gardening, fishing and hunting. His most cherished activities were spent with his family and especially his grandchildren.

For many years he was an active canoe camper/guide making fifty-seven trips and leading groups of youth, adults and couples into the BWCA. He and his wife Helen enjoyed traveling extensively covering all 50 states of the U.S., most of Canada, Europe and parts of China and Africa.

He is survived by his sons, Carl (Luann) of Duluth MN, Mark (April) of Venice, FL, and William (Deann) of Duluth, MN; and his four grandchildren, Alexander, Aunika, Tanner and Jorgen. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen, in May of this year; his parents, Martin and Doris Munson; sister, Phyllis; and brother, Gordon. Roger’s family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff at Ecumen Lakeshore for their loving care.

Visitation will be at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Duluth on January 15 from 9:30am until the 11 am Celebration of Life Service, officiated by Pastor Dave Mesner. A luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall.

A private burial will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery at a later date. In Lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to your favorite charity in Roger’s memory. Arrangements by Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home 218-624-1059.