Roger Eckstein, 80, died Friday, January 4, 2008 at Thief River Care Center, Thief River Falls, MN.


Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at St. John Lutheran Church, Red Lake Falls, MN with Reverends Aaron Zuch. Burial will be at Wylie Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5 " 8 PM, Monday, January 7, 2008 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN with a 7 PM prayer service and for one hour prior to the service at the church.

Roger Dale Eckstein was born January 7, 1927 at Wylie, MN, the son of Fred and Adena (Harbott) Eckstein. He was baptized January 30, 1927 and confirmed August 31, 1941. He attended grade school at Wylie. Roger served his country in the United States Navy from 1944-1946. He served on the USS Columbia for 2 years in the South Pacific.

On November 1, 1953, Roger was united in marriage to Olive Thorson. He was a farmer, worked at Ben Franklin, Thief River Falls, opened Gambles store, Red Lake Falls, MN in 1959, which changed to Hardware Hank and moved into Peppermint Square and then retired in 1987.

Roger was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Red Lake Falls, where he served as a church council member, Sunday School teacher, member of the mens club and currently a member of St. John Lutheran, Thief River Falls. He was a member of Red Lake Falls Civic and Commerce, Red Lake Falls City Council for 15 years, a 60 year member of the American Legion and VFW, past board member of Red Lake Falls Industries, founding member of Red Lake Falls Lions Club and JCs. Roger was a long time member of the Republican Party, where he served as chairman of the Red Lake County Republicans and was elected as a delegate to several state conventions. He also was involved in real estate development.

Roger is survived by wife, Olive, Thief River Falls; 4 children: Terry Eckstein, Mantorville, MN, Scott (Karin Hermansen) Eckstein, Cannon Beach, OR, Jill (Dave) Gunderson, Burnsville, MN and Natalie Kolberg, Erskine, MN; 6 grandchildren: Jessica, Aaron and Jacob Eckstein, Tony (Stephanie) and Leif Gunderson and Karl Kolberg; a brother: Robert (Jan) Eckstein, Thief River Falls, MN; 2 sisters: Phyllis Gaven, St. Hilaire, MN and Marion Anderson, Alaska; sister-in-law: Darlene Eckstein, Alaska.

He is preceded in death by parents, sister, Verda Almquist, brother, Virgil Eckstein; brothers-in-law: James Gaven, Woodrow Almquist and Charles Anderson.


ORGANIST: Casey Klipping
SOLOIST: Rev. Tom Eckstein (on guitar)
SELECTION: How Great Thou Art
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less and What a Friend We Have In Jesus.
CASKETBEARERS: Rogers grandchildren: Jessica Eckstein, Aaron Eckstein, Jacob Eckstein, Tony Gunderson, Leif Gunderson and Karl Kolberg.
MILITARY HONORS: Red Lake Falls American Legion Post