Roger Mathwig

A funeral service for Roger D. Mathwig, 86, of Fairmont will be 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fairmont with interment in Lake Fremont Cemetery in Dunnell. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Roger passed away on Friday morning, July 21, at Goldfinch Memory Care in Fairmont. Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements. www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

Roger Dale Mathwig was born Sept. 17, 1936, in Ceylon. He was the son of Harold “Pete” and Ruth (Thulein) Mathwig. Roger was raised in rural Dunnell and attended Sherburn High School where he graduated in 1955. He furthered his education at Mankato State University where he graduated with a degree in education.

On March 10, 1959, Roger joined the Army where he served in Puerto Rico as a language instructor. He earned his honorable discharge on Dec. 16, 1960.

On March 31, 1962, Roger was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Parker at United Methodist Church in Fairmont. This union was blessed with two sons, Scott and Rick. Roger and Mary resided in Comfrey, from 1962 until 1970. They both taught at Comfrey schools until Roger was hired as an insurance agent for State Farm Insurance in Truman, where they lived until 2010. Roger retired after 30 years with State Farm in 1999. The couple later moved to Fairmont in 2010 and shared over 61 years together.

Roger was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fairmont. During his free time, Roger hunted pheasants, ducks, deer and bear and also played baseball and softball. Along with enjoying traveling with Mary and going to Twins games, Roger spent much of his time volunteering for many organizations. He was a member of the Lions Club, Commercial Club, Development Corporation and Truman school board, as well as coached little league to town team baseball as well as girls softball in Truman.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife, Mary Ellen Mathwig of Fairmont; sons, Scott of Mound and Rick (Kim) Mathwig of Woodbury; grandchildren, Nathan and Joshua Mathwig of Woodbury; sisters, Mary Bliesmer, Nancy (Darvin) Bishop and Kathy Eiden; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Along with his parents, Harold and Ruth Mathwig, Roger was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Barry Bliesmer, Joe Eiden, Jerry Cox and Lee Parker; and sister-in-law, Clarice Keith.

Memorials are preferred to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pheasants Forever or a local baseball or softball association.