My deepest sympathy to Roger's family. Roger is one of the people I remember from high school, but the funny thing is, I DON'T remember him being physically handicapped. That says a lot about him.
Rog was, without a doubt, my earliest friend with whom I kept in regular contact. We first met in kindergrten where the alphabet put us next to each other. He was the student manager of our ill-fated basketball team, the best man in our wedding 50 years ago, and my partner on hundreds of rounds of golf. He was also one of the funniest people I ever met. For the sake of brevity, I'll share some thoughts over the next couple of days.I always thought that Rog was Wanye Courtney's favorite part of our basketball team. As student manager, Rog was usually next to the coach and a regular presence in our huddles. Most of our opponents could not figure out our defensive schemes. They were fairly simple. We had three difference presses, one man-to-man and two zones. We rotated defenses only after the opponent made a basket. It was up to future Gopher Dave Nelson, our point guard, to bring the ball up court. He was under orders to hold up one, two or three fingers signaling our defense. Opponents thought he was calling an offensive plan and told me in later years they could never figure out our signals. From time to time, after a long periond without an opponent's basket, it was easy to lose track of our defense. That was almost always a cause for a timeout with Courtney looking for answers. "Nelson," he would yell, "what defense are we playong?" Nelson, totally clueless, would guess "Number 1." "No," Courtney pointed out, jabbing a finger in Nelson's chest. "Bowman, what defense are we playing?" "Number 2," Bowman guessed with at least a 50 percent chance of being right. "No," a frustrated Courtney replied. "Mahre, tell these dummies what defense we're playing." Rog, while not a math major, was no dummy. "Number 3," he said. "You guys think you're so smart, but it takes our manager here to know what defense we're playing," Courtney pointed out. "No problem," Rog repled with a wicked grin.
Was a Sibley kid, He played in the Toilet Bowl at Lake Nokomis with a bunch of Rough Riders and some Richfield guys.. He was the quarterback. He also was our goal tender in our broomball games at Sibley Great guy with no handicaps we saw , we utilized him in other ways. RIP Roger.
So sorry to hear of Roger's passing. I can remember when he and the other basketball guys would come into the Student Council Room to hand out that Wayne Courtney was advisor for and he was my homeroom advisor. He and all of us were so proud of our basketball buddies. Bless him and his family.
I extend my sympathy to all of Roger's family and friends! He was loved by the 1961 class and faculty of RHS and by many that he met in the years that followed. Roger was a nice guy. Some people may think that is not enough, but when it gets down to the bottom line, that is all that matters. Like most, I lost track of Roger through the years. Then one day of 2010, I found myself face to face in a Title Comany in Sun City, Arizona with a very charming, competent woman by the name of Peggy who graciously greeted me and then we started to go through the paperwork. As we progressed, I looked down at her name badge, Peggy Husby-Mahre. My eyes first focused on the Husby name. Of course, because I am a Norwegian Lutheran (and St. Olaf student for one year) from Minnesoa I started to ask her about any possible Reverend Husby connection and we talked about our histories. She too, had a Minneapolis connection. When she asked me what HS I attended and I told her, she said "my husband too." Then, I focused on the Mahre name. Yes, Indeed, It was Roger's wife! Small world, huh! We exchanged phone #'s and I was blessed to go to their beautiful lakeside home in Vantana Lakes (they later moved to a golf course home in Sun City). Roger moved to Arizona following his retirement from Hennepin Co. and started a 2nd career at the beautiul Gainey Ranch Golf Course and Resort in Scottsdale. Guess what? They loved him, too! He started as the Maintenance Supevisor and 28 years later retired from his career as Men's Locker Room Mangager. When he retired in 2014, I think, The General Manager of Gainey Ranch made him a Lifetime Honorary Member of Gainey Ranch. See, they did love him! We got together for dinner when Dave and Linda Mona came down for Cactus League Baseball and once for another dinner and Ron & I just bumped into Rog and Peggy at a restaurant that we frequented on different days (Rog and Peggy for Sunday breakfast and Ron & I on Fridays), but for some reason they were there that week on Friday! I know that this note is long, but I wanted everyone to know that Rog had a great life. A great loving wife, great kids and grandkids, and many other adoring family members. He surrounded himself with what he loved most. His humorous loving spirit will be missed by so many. Rest in peace, good buddy!
A memorial service has been scheduled for Roger Mahre. It will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Portland Av. United Methodist Church in Bloomington. The address is 8000 Portland Av. S., and the church is just two blocks south of Highway 494 at the intersection of Portland and American Blvd. Hope to see you there.
In January of 1972 I had just lost my Mom at age 60 to ovarian cancer. I had briefly returned to Minneapolis for her funeral from our home in Chicago. Walking across the room to greet me at the visitation was Roger, whom I had not seen in some years. A flood of emotion overcame me. Here with his presence, strength, and comfort was Roger, my best friend from childhood. Nothing could have meant more to me.
And now, after so many years, he is gone. I'll miss this person who knew me so well. In grade school, my neighborhood play mates had moved one at a time to the suburbs. Roger's parents and mine had arranged for what today would be called a play date. We played all evening on his living room floor, arranging lead soldiers on bunched up throw rugs that simulated mountain hiding places. We became fast friends and would do everything together during our grade school and junior high years.
Roger knew stuff. I learned so much from him, especially sports. He taught me tables tennis, basketball, baseball, darts, board games, you name it, and ironically beat me most of the time. Passion for the game overcame our limitations that seldom were mentioned. I wasn't the best athlete and he couldn't run. So what.
We went to the same church, St. Lukes Lutheran, on 17th Ave. and 38th St. A year after singing in the Cherub Choir together, they changed the name to Boy's Choir. I wonder why. Jr. High Confirmation classes on Saturday morning meant that we could play touch football afterword in the side yard of the church.
We bought trading cards together. He'd get the trading cards and I got the gum, because of braces on his teeth. Our first bikes shortened the distance between our homes. Adolescence meant he introduced me to Rock and Roll and radio station KUOM and the unforgettable sound of the Big Bopper. High School meant that Roger could pick me and others up in his dad's 1957 Buick, which he mercilessly abused.
High School and college times brought expanded friendships and less time together, but still a deep bond. Marriage and career meant that I moved out of state and we'd only see each other every few years back in Minnesota. Then he moved to Arizona in 1986. We saw him twice in Sun City in 2009 and 2013, and got to know his wife, Peggy. He mentioned over and again how much she meant to him and what a blessing she was to him.
His life was indeed blessed and he blessed ours with his friendship.
My Sympathy to Rogers family! Knew Roger in High school as a person with a friendly smile and lots of energy! I am very good friends with Judie his Ex .
As we read remembrances of our friend Roger written by classmates, we see clearly that he was someone special with a kind heart, a big smile, and a twinkle in his eye. Wherever he traveled, he left footprints of kindness and love; humor and inspiration; joy and faith. We join others in sending our deepest sympathy to Peggy and her family. Sincerely, Leonard and Marlyce Bjeldanes
Linda Akerson (Towne)
My deepest sympathy to Roger's family. Roger is one of the people I remember from high school, but the funny thing is, I DON'T remember him being physically handicapped. That says a lot about him.
David Mona
Rog was, without a doubt, my earliest friend with whom I kept in regular contact. We first met in kindergrten where the alphabet put us next to each other. He was the student manager of our ill-fated basketball team, the best man in our wedding 50 years ago, and my partner on hundreds of rounds of golf. He was also one of the funniest people I ever met. For the sake of brevity, I'll share some thoughts over the next couple of days.I always thought that Rog was Wanye Courtney's favorite part of our basketball team. As student manager, Rog was usually next to the coach and a regular presence in our huddles. Most of our opponents could not figure out our defensive schemes. They were fairly simple. We had three difference presses, one man-to-man and two zones. We rotated defenses only after the opponent made a basket. It was up to future Gopher Dave Nelson, our point guard, to bring the ball up court. He was under orders to hold up one, two or three fingers signaling our defense. Opponents thought he was calling an offensive plan and told me in later years they could never figure out our signals. From time to time, after a long periond without an opponent's basket, it was easy to lose track of our defense. That was almost always a cause for a timeout with Courtney looking for answers. "Nelson," he would yell, "what defense are we playong?" Nelson, totally clueless, would guess "Number 1." "No," Courtney pointed out, jabbing a finger in Nelson's chest. "Bowman, what defense are we playing?" "Number 2," Bowman guessed with at least a 50 percent chance of being right. "No," a frustrated Courtney replied. "Mahre, tell these dummies what defense we're playing." Rog, while not a math major, was no dummy. "Number 3," he said. "You guys think you're so smart, but it takes our manager here to know what defense we're playing," Courtney pointed out. "No problem," Rog repled with a wicked grin.
Ronald Burnside
Roger,
Was a Sibley kid, He played in the Toilet Bowl at Lake Nokomis with a bunch of Rough Riders and some Richfield guys.. He was the quarterback. He also was our goal tender in our broomball games at Sibley Great guy with no handicaps we saw , we utilized him in other ways. RIP Roger.
Ron Burnside
Margaret McMAHON (Skaff)
So sorry to hear of Roger's passing. I can remember when he and the other basketball guys would come into the Student Council Room to hand out that Wayne Courtney was advisor for and he was my homeroom advisor. He and all of us were so proud of our basketball buddies. Bless him and his family.
Maggie
Marilyn Johnson (Cotton)
Roger was a friend to everyone!
Marilyn Johnson Cotton
Ginger Holritz (Dawson)
I extend my sympathy to all of Roger's family and friends! He was loved by the 1961 class and faculty of RHS and by many that he met in the years that followed. Roger was a nice guy. Some people may think that is not enough, but when it gets down to the bottom line, that is all that matters. Like most, I lost track of Roger through the years. Then one day of 2010, I found myself face to face in a Title Comany in Sun City, Arizona with a very charming, competent woman by the name of Peggy who graciously greeted me and then we started to go through the paperwork. As we progressed, I looked down at her name badge, Peggy Husby-Mahre. My eyes first focused on the Husby name. Of course, because I am a Norwegian Lutheran (and St. Olaf student for one year) from Minnesoa I started to ask her about any possible Reverend Husby connection and we talked about our histories. She too, had a Minneapolis connection. When she asked me what HS I attended and I told her, she said "my husband too." Then, I focused on the Mahre name. Yes, Indeed, It was Roger's wife! Small world, huh! We exchanged phone #'s and I was blessed to go to their beautiful lakeside home in Vantana Lakes (they later moved to a golf course home in Sun City). Roger moved to Arizona following his retirement from Hennepin Co. and started a 2nd career at the beautiul Gainey Ranch Golf Course and Resort in Scottsdale. Guess what? They loved him, too! He started as the Maintenance Supevisor and 28 years later retired from his career as Men's Locker Room Mangager. When he retired in 2014, I think, The General Manager of Gainey Ranch made him a Lifetime Honorary Member of Gainey Ranch. See, they did love him! We got together for dinner when Dave and Linda Mona came down for Cactus League Baseball and once for another dinner and Ron & I just bumped into Rog and Peggy at a restaurant that we frequented on different days (Rog and Peggy for Sunday breakfast and Ron & I on Fridays), but for some reason they were there that week on Friday! I know that this note is long, but I wanted everyone to know that Rog had a great life. A great loving wife, great kids and grandkids, and many other adoring family members. He surrounded himself with what he loved most. His humorous loving spirit will be missed by so many. Rest in peace, good buddy!
David Mona
A memorial service has been scheduled for Roger Mahre. It will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Portland Av. United Methodist Church in Bloomington. The address is 8000 Portland Av. S., and the church is just two blocks south of Highway 494 at the intersection of Portland and American Blvd. Hope to see you there.
Paul Wold
Tribute to RogerIn January of 1972 I had just lost my Mom at age 60 to ovarian cancer. I had briefly returned to Minneapolis for her funeral from our home in Chicago. Walking across the room to greet me at the visitation was Roger, whom I had not seen in some years. A flood of emotion overcame me. Here with his presence, strength, and comfort was Roger, my best friend from childhood. Nothing could have meant more to me.
And now, after so many years, he is gone. I'll miss this person who knew me so well. In grade school, my neighborhood play mates had moved one at a time to the suburbs. Roger's parents and mine had arranged for what today would be called a play date. We played all evening on his living room floor, arranging lead soldiers on bunched up throw rugs that simulated mountain hiding places. We became fast friends and would do everything together during our grade school and junior high years.
Roger knew stuff. I learned so much from him, especially sports. He taught me tables tennis, basketball, baseball, darts, board games, you name it, and ironically beat me most of the time. Passion for the game overcame our limitations that seldom were mentioned. I wasn't the best athlete and he couldn't run. So what.
We went to the same church, St. Lukes Lutheran, on 17th Ave. and 38th St. A year after singing in the Cherub Choir together, they changed the name to Boy's Choir. I wonder why. Jr. High Confirmation classes on Saturday morning meant that we could play touch football afterword in the side yard of the church.
We bought trading cards together. He'd get the trading cards and I got the gum, because of braces on his teeth. Our first bikes shortened the distance between our homes. Adolescence meant he introduced me to Rock and Roll and radio station KUOM and the unforgettable sound of the Big Bopper. High School meant that Roger could pick me and others up in his dad's 1957 Buick, which he mercilessly abused.
High School and college times brought expanded friendships and less time together, but still a deep bond. Marriage and career meant that I moved out of state and we'd only see each other every few years back in Minnesota. Then he moved to Arizona in 1986. We saw him twice in Sun City in 2009 and 2013, and got to know his wife, Peggy. He mentioned over and again how much she meant to him and what a blessing she was to him.
His life was indeed blessed and he blessed ours with his friendship.
Paul Wold
Lydia Kanyuck (Strand)
My Sympathy to Rogers family! Knew Roger in High school as a person with a friendly smile and lots of energy! I am very good friends with Judie his Ex .
Marlyce Benson (Bjeldanes)
As we read remembrances of our friend Roger written by classmates, we see clearly that he was someone special with a kind heart, a big smile, and a twinkle in his eye. Wherever he traveled, he left footprints of kindness and love; humor and inspiration; joy and faith. We join others in sending our deepest sympathy to Peggy and her family. Sincerely, Leonard and Marlyce Bjeldanes