Roger D Kolquist

Roger Duane Kolquist of Superior, Wisconsin passed away while resting peacefully on September 3, 2023. Roger was the tenth child born to Thure and Esther Kolquist on February 7, 1935. Roger married Barbara Schilling in 1956, and together they had three children, Scott, Kim, and Kathryn.

Roger attended Central High School and graduated in 1953. After high school, he served in the Air National Guard for eight years. He then worked for N.W. Bell Telephone Co., the Kolquist Bros Conoco Station on Piedmont Avenue, Lakehead Electric, and Harbor City Oil. He was especially proud of his work as Job Foreman during the construction of the Tri-Towers and the Ramsey Manor and of his work within the family businesses. Roger retired in 1986. He and Barb divided their time between Sarasota, Florida, their lake home in Gordon, Wisconsin, and their primary residence in Superior, WI.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Thure and Esther Kolquist; his brothers Clarence, Roy, Kenneth, Wallace, and Donald; his sisters Florence, Alice, and Ann.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Barbara Kolquist; their children Scott (Jody) Kolquist (Gordon, WI), Kim (Dan) Nahan (Sartell, MN), and Kathryn Kolquist (Spokane, WA); brother Clifford (Audrey) Kolquist; sister-in-law Pat Kolquist; grandchildren Aaron Kolquist (McKenzie Mears), Danielle (Krisna) Sorathia, Jillian Kolquist, Ryan (Baylee) Nahan, Matthew (Genna) Nahan, and Lindsay Kolquist (Dominic Rosati); great-grandchildren Joelle, James, and Graham; and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

On the night of Roger’s passing, his family found the poem, “A Fisherman’s Prayer,” in his bedroom: “God, grant that I may live to fish until my dying day. And when it comes to my last cast, I then most humbly pray. When in the Lord’s safe landing net I’m peacefully asleep, That in His mercy I be judged as ‘big enough to keep’.”

The family would like to thank Dr. Timothy Kleinschmidt and the staff at Villa Marina Health and Rehabilitation Center for their wonderful care.

Upon Roger’s request, the family will be holding a private burial service at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Holy Cross Lutheran Church - Duluth.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 218-727-3555. Please visit www.dfhduluth.com to sign the online guestbook.