Roger Birkeland

Roger Dennis Birkeland, age 75, of Spooner, passed away on January 27, 2012 at Spooner Health Systems Hospital. Roger was born on July 9, 1936 to Carl and Millie Birkeland in Willmar, MN. He grew up in Spicer, MN where his parents owned and operated Carl's Resort on Nest Lake. Roger graduated from Mankato State University and it was then that he went into radio announcing. His radio experience allowed him to hold positions which included salesman, program director and sales manager at Willmar's radio station KWLM. On June 18, 1957 Roger married Shirley Ann Hale at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Eden Township, Morgan, MN. In 1964 he was hired as TV weather forecaster on the television station HWWL in Waterloo, Iowa. While there he also did sports announcing and general spot announcing under his TV name Roger Burk. In 1969, Roger and Shirley moved to Spooner where they owned and operated Roger's Green Acres Motel for 7 years. They then made their home in Voyager Village where Roger worked for Terry Larsen in Webster selling cars. He also went back to radio selling out of Pine City, and Milltown. He also sold for Midway Motors. Roger was a member of Voyager Village POA for many years where he was on the Board of Directors for 12 years. He was also an active member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church from 1975-2005 before moving back to Spooner in January of 2005. He then became a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Spooner where he has attended the past 7 years. Roger was a huge sports fan. His favorite teams included the Minnesota Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves and the Golden Gophers. Roger is preceded in death by his wife Shirley; parents, Carl and Millie Birkeland; parents-in-law, William and Florence Hale; brother, Stanley; brother-in-las, Armin Dittbenner, Lawrence Schmidt, William Hale, Jr., Doug Current, and Jerome Sellner. He is survived by his daughter Michelle Truman; son Ricky, a resident of "Pleasures of Home", sister-in-laws Ruth Schmidt, Eldora Dittbenner, Irene Current, Norma Sellner and Marilyn Hale; uncle, Lowell Werdal; aunt Lois Werdal; his special cat "Macy," along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 11:00 am (visitation 10-11 AM) at Faith Lutheran Church, Spooner with Pastor Brent Berkesch officiating. Music will be provided by Kim Simon. The internment will follow at Spooner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Wayne Zarn, Jeff Current, Louie Schmidt, Al Frigen, Mike Truman and Mike Dietz.