Roger Orin Swenson, age 62, passed away Sunday, February 16, 2014 at Custer Regional Senior Care Center with his loving wife at his side.

Roger was born in Fargo, ND on November 15, 1951, to Gilma (Kirkeby) and Charles Orin Swenson.

He graduated from Fargo North High School and received a Bachelor of Science in Math and Science from North Dakota State University. He worked in Hoopston, IL, for one year, and was a medical technologist at the VA in Hot Springs for 32 years. Roger was honored for developing a lab procedure that was adopted nationwide throughout the VA. He retired in 2006.

Roger married Deborah Dickhaut of Redfield, SD, in 1981 in Hot Springs. Together, they shared more than 32 years.

Roger loved his family, work, running, singing, playing guitar, inventing things, reading non-fiction, and his beloved dogs. He attended the Southern Hills Evangelical Free Church and was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church for several years where he sang high tenor in both choirs. Roger was a kind, caring, friendly, optimistic, generous, good man with a dry sense of humor, who will be sadly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Debbie (Dickhaut); stepdaughters, Heather (Kevin) Johnson of Illinois; Jasmine Olson of Rapid City, SD; three grandchildren, Marcus Robichaud; Jade Robichaud; Brady Johnson; two sisters, Phyllis (Tom) Fuemmeler of Camdenton, MO; Carol (Stan) Geger of Rosemount, MN; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Roger is preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services were held Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at Southern Hills Evangelical Free Church in Hot Springs with Pastor Mark Crossman officiating. Interment was held at Evergreen Cemetery in Hot Springs.

A memorial has been established in Roger's name.