Roger E. Mergenthal
July 9, 1942 ~ March 17, 2020
Roger Earl Mergenthal, born July 9th, 1942 passed away on Tuesday, March 17th, Age 77 at Vibra Hospital in West Fargo. He was preceded in death by his father Earl, mother Mabel and brother Robert Mergenthal. He is survived by his sister Susie (Charlie) Anderson, son Brady Mergenthal, daughter Katie (Joseph) Blanchette, grandchildren Jack & Lauren Mergenthal and Ellie & Hudson Blanchette.
Roger was born in a farmhouse just outside Hillsboro ND where he graduated high school. He received his undergraduate degree from Mayville State University and master’s degree from the University of North Dakota. Roger was a lifelong educator with tenures in Cavalier, Valley City and lastly Minot State University. He was inducted into the Valley City Coaches Hall of Fame.
As a teacher at Minot State University for 20 years he was passionate about his students. He traveled throughout the region supporting men’s and women’s athletics. He was proud to have established an academic scholarship in his name. He loved Minot State University.
His service extended to our country as well serving 20 years with the North Dakota National Guard. Roger had a great fondness for the outdoors and hunting.
As a devoted and loving parent, he took great pleasure and pride in following his kids and grandkids extra-curricular activities. He volunteered on numerous boards. He could always be heard giving a loud cheer and seen giving a pat on the back. He welcomed all with a very large grin and firm double handed hand shake which will be forever missed.
His family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the care given by those at Eventide Sheyenne Crossing, Sanford & Vibra Hospitals. Visitation will be Sunday, March 22nd at Wildeman-Boulger Funeral Home in Hillsboro (118 3rd St. SE) from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, March 23rd at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo (123 10th St. S) at 11:00 AM. Military Burial Service to follow at Riverside Cemetery in Hillsboro at 1:00 PM. Condolences can be sent to 1601 Harvest Lane #144, Shakopee, MN 55379. Memorial contributions can be made to the Roger Mergenthal Scholarship at Minot State University www.minotstateu.edu/give/ or 1-800-777-0750 ext. 4158.
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Sorry to hear. From Gary Hardy class of 1972
Roger was one of my first instructors at MSU and was super. He always had time to help or just visit.
I had the honor of working as a work study with Roger from 91 until 95 at Minot State in the College of Business. He always had a smile on his face. Always loved catching up with him after graduation at sporting events. Prayers with his Family and may your most treasured moments with Roger stay always close to your heart.
Roger was not only a mentor and my college advisor, but through the years became a trusted friend and when needed, a faculty member and advisory committee chair for the CTE program at Valley City State University. Thank you Roger for encouraging me to take a job in Oakes and at Valley City State! I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for your guidance. You will be missed! God Bless and Rest In Peace.
Roger was a leader who helped many students at Minot State University and at Valley City State Univeristy become business-vocational educators. He loved to support various athletic teams at all grade levels.
Mr. Mergenthal was a favorite college professor. He provide great guidance during class discussions. You have an amazing angel. God Bless
Linde Paige – Minot
Roger and I served in the NG together in Minot. I always enjoyed conversations about life within and outside the military. Hearing the news this week really saddened me. He was always a gentle voice with sincerity and balance. Who couldn’t enjoy seeing one of Roger’s huge smiles? Rest well, my friend.
Roger and I served together in the NG for a number of years. I always enjoyed hearing his take on discussions about things within and outside of the military. His energy for life and gentle voice was so positive and calming. Who couldn’t walk away with a good feeling after seeing Roger’s massive smile? Hearing the news his week greatly saddened me. Rest easy, my friend.
A good and kind man.
Roger was my high school business teacher in Cavalier. I learned a lot. He could joke around and be pleasant but could get stern in a hurry. Always impeccably dressed! He had a lime green sports car and drove us wrestling cheerleaders somewhere for a match! We thought we were pretty special! 🙂In more recent years, we occasionally saw Roger at the ND state fair where we exhibited cattle. He would say hello and have a quick visit. So sorry for his health troubles. May your many memories give you comfort.
Roger was proud of his children and grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
Roger was a colleague of mine at Minot State University. He loved his students and would go out of his way to help them. There are lots of teachers around the country that he helped and taught. He loved sports and especially all of the Minot State University sports, I will treasure my last visit with him at the care center in West Fargo last fall.
Susie and family – What amazing and beautiful tributes to Roger. Praying that these, along with happy memories, bring you peace and comfort at this sad time.
Love, ReNae (Mustad) Motl
He was my classmate at Hillsboro high school. He was a real good friend. He will be missed. My condolences to his family for their loss.
Roger was former Comet, Viking & Beaver. Always there to support coaches & student athletes. Dedicated teacher and mentor. Rest in peace my friend.
Roger was one of the first people I met when we moved to Valley City in 1975. We remained friends and colleagues throughout the years always having an educational tie to Business and Career and Technical Education. Roger loved to “talk” hunting and ND National Guard. He always had that smile. Please accept Beve’s and my sympathies.
My thoughts and prayers. I worked with Roger on a lot of projects in Minot. He was a wonderful educator and person.
Brady and Katie: Your dad and I were business education colleagues while teaching high school and university students in North Dakota. Therefore, we would meet at various state and regional business education conferences. I truly enjoyed our conversations regarding business education, North Dakota athletics, and our children. He loved talking about the two of you. I am honored to consider your dad a business education colleague and a friend. Thoughts and prayers as you mourn your dad’s death and as you celebrate his earthly life and his eternal life.
I took my first college class from Roger at Minot State University. He was a kind and dedicated instructor. I also worked at MSU for almost ten years and enjoyed running into him on campus and at other locations in Minot. I know he made a real impact on the lives of so many people and will be deeply missed. He knew members of my family, including my sister Sandi and our parents and we are sad to hear of his passing. Sending prayers to his entire family as well as his many friends.
Roger was a friend. I met him years ago at the annual North Dakota Career and Technical Education conference in Bismarck. I had the pleasure of rooming with Roger at a National Business Education Conference in Anaheim, California years ago. Those of you who know Roger, it was a fantastic conference to be around him. Rest in Peace Roger. Thought and prayers to the family and friends of Roger.
Roger was a colleague and close friend of mine during the 10 years that I was the Athletic Director @ Minot State University. He served on the MSU Beaver Booster Board and contributed to MSU in so many ways. Never one to miss an athletic contest on campus and often would travel to out of town competitions. Great personality, with a kind & glowing smile for everyone. We often talked about hunting, one of his true passions. I will miss the phone conversations we often had over the last 19 years since I left MSU. His gentle reminder before saying goodbye, “Keep it In the short stuff Fran, when you’re golfing”. He will be truly missed.
Roger was my wife Kristen’s uncle. We got to spend a lot of time with Roger over several years usually in Hillsboro for special holiday events. Roger always brought a bottle of wine or two and a very special dish that he had prepared. His special dishes always centered around some kind of meat that he had obtained from one of several hunting expeditions. Roger loved being out in nature, soaking it all in and hunting wild game. Roger was always so interested in what was going on in other family member’s lives. He always gave great words of encouragement to all of us, which I suppose is what also made him a great teacher and coach. He would make people feel good that he came into contact with and it was always so great to see and visit with him. It was with pride that he served “our” country in the National Guard for such a long time and so fitting that he will have a Military Burial Service. I salute you Roger and all those who have served or who are serving today. I am so glad you were part of our family’s life and we will all miss you. Rest in Peace Roger. From:
Shaun, Kristen, Tierney, Scott and Samantha.
I was a very appreciative recipient of the scholarship in his name at MSU. Roger always stopped to visit when he would see me in the community, specifically when I saw him at MSU Homecoming and athletics. May he rest peacefully.
I grew up with Roger. He was in my class . He was a kind gentle young man who always had a smile on his face and a friendly greeting. Unfortunately I only spoke to him a few times over the years—-I am poorer for this loss. However, waves of his accomplishments have reached my ears as time has past. We are all lucky to have had him in our lives.
Got to know Roger at Minot State when our daughter Alicia was playing basketball. Great fan who really appreciated our family involvement at MSU. Kind man with a gentle heart!
Dale and Teresa Olson
I was fortunate to have Roger as my junior high wrestling coach in Valley City. I always thought he was such a wonderful man. My deepest sympathy on his passing.
Roger was always “larger than life” to me. A big laugh, a double handed handshake, and words of wisdom-he was in every sense -a great man. He could instantly make someone at ease, and get a conversation started-I always envied that!
Thank you for your wisdom and your kindness!
Awesome mentor and advisor as I went through Minot State. Loved talking to him later when we bumped into each other. Always talked about teaching, kids, and hunting. Deer and turkey trips were discussed in great detail and much enthusiasm. He will be missed.
I always enjoyed being around Roger as a fellow business instructor. He was always friendly and joined in on the many get togethers we had as educators. So sorry to hear of his passing.
So sorry for your loss! You are in my thoughts and prayers!🙏🙏🙏. Debi Patterson
I’m so sorry to hear if your loss. The last time I saw Roger was at our last high school reunion. I had the privilege of sitting by him and his buddy Bobby Steffens. We had a wonderful time talking about the good old days and the now! He was a very special person and made our high school years fun. The basketball team from when he was playing in is still being reported in the Hillsboro Banner.
To the family of Mr. Roger Mergenthal, I am so sorry for your loss. I was fortunate to be student of Mr. Mergenthal while at Minot State University and for that, I am grateful. He always had time for his students. Mr. Mergenthal was easy to talk to and was willing to share his experience, often giving good advice and guidance. His demeanor was such that he always demonstrated class and patience in every situation. As a high school Business Education Teacher, I do try to emulate some of the many great qualities that Mr. Mergenthal had. In reading through the comments, it is not surprising that Mr. Mergenthal has positively touched the lives of so many.
I just tonight found this and found out that Roger died. I’m heart broken. Roger used to teach school with my grandfather Don Weiss at Valley City. When I went back to college at the age of 31, I found myself in Roger’s class at Minot State University, and it was a wonderful reunion. Every time I saw him I thought of my grandfather. My grampa and gramma used to call him Mergie. He will be so missed, I can’t explain how much. The end of an era.