Roger Krsnak

Roger Dean Krsnak, age 74, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away on June 15, 2024, at Season's Hospice in Rochester, surrounded by his wife and three sons after a five-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He fought long and hard to remain with his family, and his faith in God never faltered throughout his struggle.

Roger was born on April 15, 1950, in Ada, Minnesota, to Ruth (Norby) and Ralph Krsnak. Raised on a small farm without an interior bathroom, he was the middle of five children. Alongside his two brothers and two sisters, Roger helped around the farm from an early age, learning to drive at just six years old. He cared for various animals, including cows and horses, and mowed ditches for the county to earn extra money for his family. He graduated from Gary High School in 1968 and attended Moorhead State and North Dakota State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1972. Roger paid his way through college with grants, scholarships, and by driving a school bus. He completed his Master of Electrical Engineering degree from North Dakota State University in 1974.

In 1972, he married the love of his life, Sharyn (Littlejohn), in Fargo, North Dakota. They moved to Rochester, Minnesota, in July of 1974, where Roger accepted a job at IBM. He retired after 46 years of service as a Senior Engineer and Manager due to his cancer diagnosis. At IBM, he worked extensively on some of the first computer modems, the AS/400 mainframe computer systems, and printing capabilities for large customers such as banks and governments. Roger was known among his peers for his leadership skills and tireless work ethic, often returning to the office late into the evening after putting his children to bed.

Roger and Sharyn had three wonderful sons: Joshua, Benjamin, and Timothy. He was immensely proud of their accomplishments and shared a special bond with each of them, loving them deeply. His eleven grandchildren adored him and were the light of his life. His family is his legacy.

Roger had a kind and gentle spirit with a special love for children. He coached basketball and baseball for all three of his sons and continued coaching for a total of 35 years, even after his children went off to college. Known as Coach K, he led many championship-winning teams. Roger also served on the Rochester Youth Basketball board for many years after retiring from coaching. He was a devoted fan of all Minnesota sports teams, including the "darn Vikings," and kept up with all their statistics. Additionally, he enjoyed regularly attending local high school sports games, often watching and cheering for the young athletes he had coached years before.

Roger loved to volunteer. He was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church and its stewardship team, serving many pancakes and root beer floats over the years. He was also a Rochester Kiwanian for 35 years and an active member of the BSF Men's Fellowship at Autumn Ridge Church.

A jack of all trades, Roger could fix or build anything, especially anything mechanical or electronic. He routinely spent weekends helping his sons fix up their homes. Roger also chased his entrepreneurial spirit by running a leadership consulting business and, later, a vending machine business.

Roger is preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Ralph Krsnak, and three siblings: Joan Sjolie, Don Krsnak, and Sheri Moen. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Sharyn; his three sons: Joshua, Benjamin, and Timothy; a brother, Kim; and his eleven grandchildren: Morgan, Charlotte, Michael, Nina, Maeve, Eloise, Elin, Rosemary, Roger, Henry, and Evangeline.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 10th, from 5 PM to 8 PM at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, located at 5421 Royal Place NW in Rochester, MN. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, July 11th, at 11 AM at Bethel Lutheran Church, 810 3rd Avenue SE in Rochester, MN, with a visitation preceding it at 10 AM. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Krsnak family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com