Roger Lee Tonsberg, age 79, of Howard Lake passed away from complications of congestive heart failure on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at the Buffalo Hospital.
Funeral services will be held at the Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato on Thursday, February 20, at 11 a.m.
Roger was born May 11, 1940 to Esther (Scott) and Theodore Tonsberg. He was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato. After graduating from Howard Lake High School, he learned the skills of auto body work from his older brother Marlyn. In 1962, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. As a marksman on a competitive pistol team he traveled into several countries from which he ably sent special gifts back home to his family.
After a two-year tour of duty, Roger attended St. Cloud State University, majoring in biology. His interests in hunting and fishing earned him trophies in marksmanship in numerous events. In 1963, he joined his brother to continue with the auto body repair work at Vincent’s Auto Body in Minneapolis until 1969. This work extended to his brother’s auto body shop in Plymouth for another twenty years.
In later years he showed his Labrador, Blackie, whom he had trained and groomed for competitive trials. Together, they traveled the U.S. and Canada capturing numerous awards.
He is survived by sisters, Doris M.E. Rodd of Mound, Jeanette (Leroy) Entinger of Buffalo, sister-in-law, Delores Czech Tonsberg of Maple Plain, nieces and nephews and many relatives and friends. Roger was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Doris Marjorie; brother, Marlyn; brother, Donald; brother in law, Charles Rodd; and his special buddy, Blackie.
The family is especially appreciative of the thoughtful concerns and kindness of Dennis Larson and Leonard Kaisalahti.