Roger Iverson

Roger S. Iverson, age 76, of Willmar, passed away on Tuesday morning, Jan. 15, at Carris Health Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, at the First Covenant Church in Willmar.  Interment will be at Cloverleaf Memorial Park Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20, at the First Covenant Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.  Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Roger Sheldon Iverson was born on January 29, 1942 in Bertha, MN to Sheldon and Hazel (Horner) Iverson. The hospital in Bertha was a four-room hospital in 1942. He grew up in Elmo Township, Minnesota and attended Parkers Prairie High School, graduating with the class of 1960. Roger enlisted into the United States Navy in 1961 at the Great Lakes Naval base near Chicago, IL. After his discharge from the Navy, Roger returned to Minnesota. He met the love of his life, Valeryn Sue Iverson, in 1963 while horseback riding in Cosmos, MN. The couple was united in marriage on February 8, 1964 at the Little Brown Church in Nashwa, IA. The couple made their home in Willmar and have lived in the same home since 1964. Roger was an entrepreneur at heart. He owned and managed several businesses throughout his life. He first started his working career in Alexandria at Jack and Jill Foods. While in Willmar, he worked for the following businesses: National T grocery in the produce department, Red Owl grocery, Danielson Foods in Atwater, and Ruscoe Windows in Willmar. His true passion was baking. He was the head baker for the Cosmos Bakery, Parkers Prairie Bakery, Red Owl grocery, More-4 Foods and Juba’s Super Value. In later years he owned and operated Yummy Foods and Iverson Enterprises. He was a member of the Willmar Lions Club, Willmar Pigeon Club, and the Covenant Church where he served on the church council. Roger enjoyed keeping informed on his community visiting and making new friends at the local coffee shops. He treasured his time spent with friends, family, his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Valeryn “Sue” Iverson of Willmar; four children, Troy (Devedah) Iverson of Atwater, Todd (Marci) Iverson of Willmar, Tanya (Brian) Hinrichs of Willmar, Trent (Jill) Iverson of Little Falls; eleven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren;  one brother, Willard (Irene) Iverson of Alexandria and two sisters, Sylvia Olson of Alexandria and Gloria Iverson of Alexandria, besides other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sheldon and Hazel; mother and father-in-law, Ilert and Jenny Anderson; brothers-in-law, Clayton Olson, Gary Anderson and Michael Brygger.