A private funeral service will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer. The service will be uploaded to the obituary page on the Johnson Funeral Service website so the community may participate virtually. A celebration of Roger’s life is also being planned for the late spring at the Skjerven Barn north of Plummer, when we can all be together outside, and share our fondest memories and stories.
Burial will take place as part of the spring celebration at the Emardville Cemetery with military honors provided by the Plummer American Legion Post. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Tri-Rivers Museum.
Roger was born in Park River, ND to John and Alice (Hanson) Skjerven on December 25, 1934. He grew up on the family farm outside Park River. After graduating high school, he moved with his family to a farm north of Plummer.
Roger was united in marriage to Charlotte (“Pollie”) Polson on November 4, 1956. The couple lived in Plummer and raised three wonderful children: Peggy, Lorie and Jim.
Roger served his country in the United States Army and spent most of his life as a small business man, owning and operating The Plummer Oil Company. Roger was also a school bus driver for many years in the Plummer school district.
Roger was involved in his church, Immanuel Lutheran, and in his community, serving in various leadership roles. He was also an active member of the American Legion and served as a volunteer fireman for decades. Roger took great joy in participating in many community events in Plummer, including the nationally-recognized Fourth of July celebrations.
In his golden years, Roger played a leadership role in the creation and management of the Tri-Rivers Museum in Plummer. Roger loved to discover and refurbish old cars and tractors and was rightly proud of the results of these labors. Roger had a wonderful sense of humor. He was a man of deep faith, a devoted family man and a friend to everyone who knew him. As scripture says, Roger fought the good fight, he finished the race and he kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7.
Roger is preceded in death by the love of his life, Pollie; his parents, John and Alice Skjerven; his sister, Jean McCrary; brother, Jerry; sister-in-law, Emilie Skjerven; and his brother-in-law, James Peterson.
Roger is survived by his three loving children: Peggy (Kermit) Genereux, Lorie (Andrew) Gildea and Jim (Jenifer) Skjerven; two adoring grandchildren, Kyla (Ben) Bays and Lucas (Jill) Genereux; three delightful great-grandchildren, Aaron, Emma Jo and Charlotte Grace Bays. He is also survived by his brothers: LeRoy Skjerven, Don (Nancy) Skjerven, and John (Margaret) Skjerven; his sister, Gayle Peterson; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Roger will be dearly and greatly missed.
