The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Obituaries

Related Photos

Guest Book

January 29, 2013

Dr. Roger A. Parsons

—    Dr. Roger A. Parsons, age 85, of St. James, died on Monday, January 28, 2013, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems- St. James.

  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30am, Friday, February 1, 2013, at St. James Catholic Church in St. James with Father Thien Nguyen as celebrant.

   Visitation will be Thursday at Sturm Funeral Home in St. James from 4pm to 8pm, a 3:30pm Rosary is scheduled visitation will continue one hour before services at the church on Friday.

  The family prefers memorials be directed the Watonwan Co. Food Shelf, U of M Cancer Research or St. James High School in lieu of flowers.

  You may send the family condolences online at www.sturmfh.com

 Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in St. James.

  Dr. Roger Parsons passed peacefully early Monday, January 28, 2013, of cerebral hemorrhage.  He was a patient at St. James Hospital on the street bearing his name.  He was 85, most recently a member of the Prairie View Community in St. James.  He is preceded in death by his wife Louise (1988), parents James and Edith Parsons, brothers Richard and Kenneth, sisters Patricia and Evelyn.  Dr. Parsons is survived by children, Patty (Bob)Andersen, Margaret (Jon)Newberg, Susan (Mike) Brunson, Robert, Kathryn (Steve) Audette and Jay (Rick) Nordstrom.The city of St. James provided a safe place to raise his family which grew to 36 children, grand, and great-grandchildren.

   St. James provided Dr. Parsons and his partner, Dr. Keith Moulton, a place to open their practice after they graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1955.  In the beginning they chose St. James for its size and friendliness consequently forming deep relationships in the community. Patient trust followed their practice and enriched the life of Dr. Parsons.

  Roger Parsons was born April 15, 1927, in Fargo, North Dakota.  He was raised

in Redwood Falls and graduated high school there in 1945.  He served in the Army until discharge in 1946.  College and medical school followed at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.  In 1950 Roger married Louise Montressor in Chicago, graduated medical school in 1953, and moved to St. James where he would live for the next 60 years.

  Dr. Parsons enjoyed the support he received from the community serving as alderman and later, as mayor of the City of St. James.   He was moved to state late in his life that, "The people in St. James are wonderful.  It was

very satisfying to help take care of them.  It's rewarding to know we contributed something to the community.  They gave a lot back to us, too."

   Dr. Parsons enjoyed an active life beginning with high school football and dancing at local ballrooms. Later he became an avid bike rider and enjoyed many summer outings with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren at his lake cabin, swimming, picking strawberries, and various other activities.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Obituaries
  • Rosamond D. (Crooker) Staats Elliott

    Rosamond D. (Crooker) Staats Elliott 96, of New  Port Richey, Florida, passed away at Madison Pointe Nursing Center in Newport Richey on May 15.

    June 18, 2013

  • Wayne Geary 061913-O.jpg Wayne Emery Geary

    Wayne Emery Geary, 92, of Mankato, passed away Thursday morning June 13, 2013, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

    June 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Jody Harman 061913-O.jpg Jody Lynne Harman

    Jody Lynne Harman, age 51, of rural St. Peter, died Monday, June 17, 2013, at River's Edge Hospital, St. Peter.

    June 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Bruce Becker 061913-O.jpg Bruce R. Becker

    Bruce R. Becker, 66, of Belle Plaine, MN, passed away at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, MN, on June 14, 2013.

    June 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Westley Rethwill O 061913.jpg Dr. Wesley H. Rethwill

    Dr. Wesley H. Rethwill, age 78 of Waseca died on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

    June 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Donald Matting - .jpg Donald Arthur Matting

    Donald Arthur Matting, 88 years old, was called to his heavenly home on Wednesday, February 13, 2013.

    June 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Ella Call Quam

    Ella Call Quam, age 95, of Titusville Florida and formerly of Elysian, died peacefully on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at her home in Titusville surrounded by her family.

    June 17, 2013

  • Mae Schwartz 061813-O.jpg Mae Doreen Frost Schwartz

    Mae Doreen Frost Schwartz, age 100, died peacefully on Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at her home in Savannah, Georgia.

    June 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • Leonard Pierson 061713-o.jpg Leonard Pierson

    Leonard Pierson, age 86 of Mankato, died peacefully, Saturday, June 15, 2013 at Keystone Community.

    June 16, 2013 1 Photo

  • Lori Hiller 061613-o.jpg Lori Marie Hiller

    LORI MARIE HILLER, age 47 of Waterville, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 13, 2013 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato with family by her side.

    June 15, 2013 1 Photo