Roger Schrom

November 21, 1947 - January 20, 2022
Roger F. Schrom, age 74, of Maple Grove, died unexpectedly on Thursday, January 20, 2022, surrounded by loved ones at North Memorial Medical Center. Roger was born on November 21, 1947, in Melrose, MN to Edwin and Mary Ann (Hieserich) Schrom. He graduated from Sauk Centre High School and enlisted in the US Air Force the day he turned 18. He proudly served two years overseas as an air-traffic controller in Taiwan during the Vietnam War. Following his years of military service, he completed his education by graduating from Metropolitan State University earning a degree in Accounting. He spent his entire 39 year career with Marquette Financial Companies where he held several titles, but most importantly, met the love of his life, and developed many lasting relationships with colleagues he was proud to call friends. He married his best friend, Colleen G. Claffey on September 27, 1980 at St. Canice Catholic Church in Kilkenny.
Roger was an active volunteer throughout his life. He mentored youth, volunteered at food shelves, and delivered Meals-on-Wheels to those in need. He also participated in a Men’s Bible Study through his church where he met many wonderful friends. After retirement, he worked his dream job as an usher for the Minnesota Twins.
Roger had many loves in his life…he loved reading, history, cards, animals, good food, conversation, telling the same joke every time he saw you, and most importantly a solid ‘end of the night’ dance song...you could always count on Roger’s request of “Don’t Stop Believin” and “Sweet Caroline”. He was a huge Minnesota sports fan, and always cheered for the home team, with the exception of frequently turning off the Vikings games in disgust. Of all the loves in his life, there was none greater than the love for his family. His wife, daughters, son in-laws, grandkids, and loyal companion Finnegan filled his life with great joy, laughter, and frequent colds (insert his infamous SA and ROFLMAO response here). Without doubt, his family was his greatest accomplishment.
Roger epitomized what it means to be genuine and kind. He truly cared about everyone who came into his life in any capacity. He was a great conversationalist. His presence, immense empathy, and willingness to listen created lasting relationships with all who had the privilege of knowing him. He had a way of making people feel immediately welcome and important with his kindness, interest in what they had to say, and genuine care. Roger’s twinkling eyes, his signature mustache, his welcoming spirit and the gentleness that he exuded throughout his life will be missed by all who knew him.
Roger is survived by his wife, Colleen of Maple Grove; daughters, Sarah (Brian) Winter of Corcoran and Stephanie (Zack) Faiad of Ham Lake; grandchildren, Audrey, Will, Adelin, Zander, Zoe, & Zayn; favorite furry companion (“son”), Finnegan; sisters, Carol (Joe) Rohe of Fridley and Sharon (LaVern) Maile of Cold Spring; He is preceded in death by his parents.
A Memorial of Life Service will be held Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Lord of Life Lutheran Church (7401 County Rd. 101, Maple Grove, MN 55311) with Reverend David McCarty officiating. Visitation will take place for 1 hour prior to service from 10 – 11 AM at the church. All are invited to join us for a luncheon at church immediately following the service. The service will also be live-streamed (https://www.lordoflife.org/celebrationoflife) for those unable to attend in person. In celebration of Roger's devotion to Minnesota sports, we invite family and friends to wear their favorite Minnesota sports gear to the service. Due to requests by both the family and the church, masks are required. A private family burial will occur at a later date at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.
I’m so very sorry to hear this. I hadn’t heard yet. Roger was my first boss after I graduated college. I joined Marquette in 1999 and worked with him at Southpoint in Bloomington until moving to Marquette Trust in 2021. He was an incredible boss to me. I was very green and he taught me patiently. I was always fascinated with downtown Minneapolis and jumped at the chance to meet him at Firestone where he’d drop off his car for service and then drive us both to work in Bloomington. After the Wells Fargo acquisition we’d do annual accounting team… Read more »
Thank you for sharing this Derek. I still check my Dad’s obituary from time to time and this entry was such a pleasant surprise tonight. I love continuing to hear stories from people he touched at❤️
Dear Family,
I have participated in Roger’s service from home. Oh, how I wish that Karen and I could have attended in person. Please know that we care. The service was both God honoring and Roger honoring. Thank you to all readers, speakers and musicians for your thoughtful presentation.
Blessings,
Mark and Karen Baden
Thank you so much ❤️ I am so grateful for the wonderful service Lord Of Life provided and all of the support we have gotten from them ❣️
Thank you Mark and Karen.
Oh Sweet Colleen I was so saddened to hear about you loss. I never met your husband but we used to share stories about our best friends. I send love and prayers your way. Renee
Thank you Renee , we were lucky to have our husbands as our best friends ❤️
Very sorry to hear this. Hang in there
Thank you Denny !
My condolences to Colleen and family. I had the privilege to work with Roger for a few years of his long tenure at Marquette. Roger was a ray of sunshine in my work day. His kindness and his sense of humor are two characteristics that he brought to our team. I know how much he loved working as an usher for the Twins in his retirement. Roger lived a good life, caring about all the truly important things — faith, family, and kindness to others. May your wonderful memories sustain you.
Thank you Paula ❤️
Thank you so much Paula , he always spoke highly of you !
Thank you so much Paula
My deepest Sympathy to Colleen. Sarah and Steph. His tribute was very nice felt like I knew real well. and he was such a great guy, My thoughts and prayers are with you all, May all your fond memories of Roger bring you much peace and comfort at this time.
Thank you Shari !
Thank you Shari for sharing your condolences
I really enjoyed getting to know Roger the last 18 months in our church small group each week. He was so genuine and real in every interaction and had a great sense of humor. I have grown so much as a father and husband as a result of Roger’s experience and guidance. I also loved hearing about how he loved on his neighbor Kenny with the once a week Coke treat. Great Man!
Thank you for your kind words , he loved all of his support at Lord Of Life !
Thank you so much Solomon
What a wonderful tribute. Sympathies to Colleen Sarah and Steph. I have a special memory to share about Roger giving me Front row Twins tickets to take my very elderly father to the Mn Twins game on Fathers Day! Like Roger my dad was a big Twins fan!
Sue Sanders
Oh my gosh Sue , I had forgotten about that , thanks for reminding me ❤️
Thank you so much Sue for the condolences and sharing your memory 🙂
What a beautiful tribute!!! Forever in our hearts and Kenny’s! Thanks for being such a wonderful neighbor Roger!!!!! We are so sorry for your loss….He will be missed by so many! You are all in our thoughts and prayers!
Thanks Nikki , Kenny has been so sweet , he said he will take care of me now
Thank you Nikki <3
We send condolences to Colleen, Sarah, Stephanie and families. We have good memories of Roger coaching our girls’ softball games. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. His memory will always be a blessing to you and the host of people he touched.
Thanks Mary Ann , we appreciate you thinking of us ❤️
Thank you Mary Ann for sharing your condolences.
Colleen, Sarah and Steph,, Roger always had a hug for me when I saw him and like you all, made me feel like family. He was taken too soon but I know he is in great company❤️.
My sympathy and prayers are with you all.
Love you,
Patti Joe
That’s because you are family ❤️ Thank you so much…love you
Exactly what sarah said , you have always been abs will always be family ❤️
What Sarah said. We love you Patti Joe and appreciate your condolences so much
Such a beautiful tribute to a truly genuine and amazing person. As I think back to the many days shared at the Schrom’s house, I am overwhelmed with the joyful memories spent laughing, joking, and eating at the kitchen table. Roger, or ‘Royer’ as Stephy and I called him in high-school, truly had a spiritual gift of giving selflessly to others and making everyone feel special and important. He had such a positive impact on so many and I am forever grateful for the special times shared with him, Colleen, and Stephy. While my heart is heavy with saddness, I… Read more »
Jaime , you know how much he and of us loved having you at our house, and in our lives ❤️
Love you so much Jaime! Thank you for all your support
Colleen and family, when I told the girls today about Roger they started sharing fond stories of you both. The one that stands out was an after school walk home and they were scared about the kitchen light being on. Roger jumped into action with a baseball bat to check out the house while the girls followed right behind him. Such an amazing person and kind soul. Prayers to you all. Ryan, Amy, Hanna and Ava Olson
Oh Amy this made me laugh and smile so much ❤️❤️ Thank you for sharing!!
Amy , thank you so much for your story , we sure miss you as neighbors ❤️
Thank you for sharing your memory Amy – how funny 🙂
My deepest sympathies to Aunt Colleen, cousins Sara & Stephanie as well as their children & husbands. It’s terrible that the children won’t be able to grow up to experience life with Grandpa Roger. On a personal note, I will not only miss you as my Uncle & friend, but I will miss our many, many political texts to each other! RIP Uncle Roger. Nephew Jim
Thanks Jim , I know he loved keeping up with you , you and all his nieces and nephews were special to him ❤️
Thank you Jim 🙂
Colleen, my heart goes out to you & your family with the unexpected loss of Roger.
His apt tribute brought a smile to my face.
Big hug!
Thank you Linda , you know how much you meant to BOTH of us ❤️
Thank you Linda for your condolences and thoughts.
We send our deepest condolences. Roger was one of the best who will be sorely missed. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Sending love and hugs.
Thanks Tobe and Arlin , love you guys ❤️❤️
Thank you Tobe for all your support to our family and especially my mom. We love you so much 🙂
I have know Roger for at least 40 years. He was “Uncle Roger” to our three boys. We’ve spent 13 vacations together with Roger and Colleen, and more New Year’s Eve’s than I can recall. This tribute is so fitting and true. He was a kind, warm, generous, funny man, who loved a good joke (even if it was about him), always kind to children, interested in others, and happy to help.
Remembering his words of ‘encouragement’ to the Vikings coaches (from the cheap seats where we four sat) suggesting plays they should call. I will miss you, dear friend.
I have so many fond memories watching the Vikings games at our old townhome with you and Bill!! Brian is an eternal Vikings optimist to which my dad always responded “wait til you’ve had as many years of disappointment as me!” And I know you can hear him saying that.
So many memories growing up with your family…I know he loved and cared so much for you all ❤️
Thank you Christine , lots fun memories ❣️ Love you all
Thank you Christine for sharing your memories. We love you so much. You are definition of friends that become family 🙂
Roger was my friend in high school. Such happy memories of him! I am so sad.
Thank you!
Lovely tribute to Roger. He was such a wonderful human and the world was a better place with him in it. I am so sorry for your loss Schrom family. I hope the countless wonderful memories you have of him bring you some comfort during this time.
Thank you Jenna , you have just been so good to us and Steph during this very difficult time ❤️
Thank you so much Jenna – love you <3
This really captures Roger’s sense of humor and his personality. Roger was a great co-worker and an even better friend. Condolences to his family and friends.
Thank you Colin !
Thank you Colin. Appreciate your condolences
What a phenomenal tribute to a phenomenal man!! You summed him up perfectly. I couldn’t help but smile reading it!! Hugs and prayers to all! He truly will be missed.
Deepest sympathy to Colleen and family. Obit shares a story of a pretty amazing man. You will be in our thoughts and prayers Colleen.
Thank you Connie , he was ❤️
Thank you❣️ And thank you for making it home for Roger’s service❤️
Thank you Deb and Mike! You are the best