Roger Martinson Jr.

Roger H. Martinson Jr., 72, of Cook passed away on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at the Cook Care Center.

He was born Roger Hugo Martinson on February 27, 1944 in Virginia, MN the son of Roger and Virginia (Balke) Martinson Sr. He grew up and worked on the family farm homestead in Angora, and also logged with his father. Roger went to schools in Idington, Alango, then graduated from Cook High School in 1962. After graduation, he proudly served his country in the Air Force, and for time was stationed stateside at the Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico. He returned back to Cook where he married Jerelyn Karvala on June 12, 1965 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cook. The couple lived in several towns on the Iron Range before returning back to Cook in 1972, where they bought a farm and raised their family. Roger was employed at Hill Woods Products as a sawmill foreman and a timber buyer. He operated a lawn service for many years in the Cook area, and worked for Gustafson Motors for 13 years doing a variety of jobs. Roger was a member of the Cook VFW.
He was an avid outdoorsman, liked hunting and fishing, and his family fondly recalls that he was a great cook. He cherished his children and grandchildren.
Roger will be remembered for his big heart along with his wit and humor

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Laureen Martinson (in infancy), a brother Barry Martinson and a brother in-law, Raymond Sarazine.

Roger is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jerelyn Martinson; 2 sons, Stewart Martinson of Cook and Jason Martinson of Virginia; 1 daughter, Sarah (Kevin) Sheffer of Angora; three grandchildren, Nathan Martinson and Elias and Hudson Sheffer; 4 sisters, Kathleen Sarazine of Cook, Gloria (Grant) Strand of Virginia, Coralee (Greg) Mihm of Vermilion Dam-Cook, and Valerie (Jerry) Ohotto of Cook.; sister in-law Bonnie Martinson of Eveleth, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and many special extended family and friends.

SERVICES: Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, July 13th, at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. A gathering of family and friends will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Rev. Bruce Hannem will be the officiant. The soloist will be Kathy Forsline and pianist Pam Ruuska. The honorary bearers will be Roger's grandchildren, Nathan Martinson, Elias and Hudson Sheffer and nephew Barry Martinson Jr. Military honors will be accorded by the combined honor guards of the Cook VFW Post #1757 and the Orr American Legion Post #480. A reception in Roger's honor will follow the service at the Cook VFW. Interment will be in the Cook Community Cemetery. To sign the online guestbook, or to send a condolence to the family, go to: www.mlakerfuneralhome.com