Rodger Paul Studt, age 81, of Shell Lake passed away on January 14, 2023 peacefully at home. He was unaware he had pancreatic cancer until a couple of days before his death.

Rodger was born March 17, 1941 in Braham, MN to Paul and Mabel (Setterlund) Studt. He married his high school sweetheart Elaine Evenson on March 17, 1962. They celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2022.

He graduated from Braham High School in 1959 and started working at Honeywell in Minneapolis. After one year of work, he enrolled in the University of Minnesota. He graduated in 1965 with a degree in math and physical education. He started his teaching career in Walled Lake, MI from 1965 to 1967. Roger and his family moved to Shell Lake in the fall of 1967 where he taught high school mathematics until his retirement.

Roger received a National Science Grant and moved his family to Pullman, WA for three summers to do graduate work at Washington State University. He received his Master’s Degree in mathematics in 1970.

In Shell Lake, he coached high school basketball and track. He actually started the high school track program in 1968. He also started the concept of “open gym” so kids of all age could play basketball for fun on Saturday mornings in the winter. In the summer, he coached the Little League and Babe Ruth baseball teams. Roger cared for his players and students, and did his best to help them succeed.

Roger loved watching his Minnesota sports teams, especially the Gophers, Vikings, and Twins. He was an avid fisherman-fishing for walleyes in Shell Lake, Mille Lacs, and Canada. He enjoyed time at deer camp with his good friends for almost 50 years. He loved playing card games of all types. When Roger retired, he took up woodworking for fun and became a very talented craftsman.

He is survived by wife, Elaine; children: Timothy (Laurie), Richard, and Sherri (Tom) Norman; grandchildren: Nick (Hannah) Studt, Aaron (Karen) Studt, Rachael (Caleb) Johnson, Josh Studt, Alek, Ben, and Abi Norman; 12 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and many other family and friends.

Rodger was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Eugene; sister, Shirley Kline; and great granddaughter, Rosalie Johnson.

A Celebration of Life for Rodger will be held at 11 AM Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Salem Lutheran Church with Pastor Sue Odegard officiating with a lunch to follow. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10-11 AM.

Skinner Funeral Home of Cumberland/ Turtle Lake is serving the family.

Last Update: Jan 16, 2023 11:59 am CST