Roger J. Kohler

Roger was born on Christmas Day in 1945 and died peacefully on June 14, 2025 at Crestview Senior Living in Blaine. He is preceded in death by his parents, Aloys Kohler and Sophie (Gerten) Kohler; his siblings, Edward (Christelle) Kohler, Florence (Ray) Wanless, Allen (Janice) Kohler, Francis Kohler, and Marilyn (Ken) Roberts. He is survived by brother Ben (Lorrie Miller) Kohler; ex-spouse and lifelong friend Judy (Ruzsa) Kohler; his son Luke (Holly) Kohler; grandsons, Ethan, Jacob, and Adam; and several nieces & nephews.

Roger grew up in White Bear Lake, attended Hill High School and Dunwoody Technical Institute where he completed training in welding. After a short period of employment as a welder, he volunteered for the Peace Corps and served in Ethiopia as a welding instructor. Following those two years, he entered the Army and was stationed in Germany as the sole welder on an Army base. He received award recognition for designing and helping construct fuel pipelines.

Upon returning from overseas he returned to Dunwoody for training as a machinist and held several jobs in that field of work for many years. He married Judy Ruzsa, established his family and built their home - almost totally by himself - in White Bear Lake.

Roger was an active member with the American Legion and helped with many of their service projects. Upon retiring he volunteered at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in the Honor Guard Squad for burials all day every Thursday for seven years. Roger often shared stories of the gratitude families of deceased veterans expressed for the recognition squad members gave to their deceased family members. He volunteered for a project to fly wheelchaired veterans to the national memorials in Washington D.C. For the trip he served as attendant and guide to his assigned veteran. Roger sadly had to end his volunteer work with veterans because of declining health conditions.

Roger was a highly skilled tradesman, self-taught handyman and generous helper to all kinds of people who needed jobs to be designed and completed.

A Gathering of Remembrance will be held at Mueller-Bies Funeral Home - Lino Lakes, 7050 Lake Dr., Lino Lakes, MN 55014 on July 12 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.