Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 271589
Title: Roger Kiwimagi
Date: 6/16/1936-4/17/2025
Creator:
Inscription/Marks: 6/16/1936
Summary: Roger Kiwimagi passed away peacefully on April 17, 2025, at his home in Parker, CO, surrounded by his loving family. A funeral service was held at the Family Worship Center, Colorado Springs, CO, on April 26, 2025. Burial was at Daglum Cemetery on May 1, 2025. Roger was born on June 16, 1936, in North Dakota to George and Elvina (Palasma) Kiwimagi. When he was just five years old, he lost his mother, Elvina. He was then raised by his father, George, alongside his older brother, Donald, on their farm south of South Heart, ND. Roger attended country school, where he later returned to teach. His childhood was filled with time spent near his Aunt Bobbi, Uncle Duke, and cousins, with whom he remained close throughout his life. At 17, Roger experienced another profound loss when his father passed away. With Donald serving in the Navy, Roger enlisted in the Army. After his service, he returned home and put himself through college at Dickinson State University, driving a cab to pay his way. It was during this time that a warm smile and kind heart caught the attention of a young nurse, Bernadette Steffan. They were married on December 27, 1961. Soon after, the couple moved to Knoxville, TN, where Roger pursued a doctorate fellowship and earned master’s degrees in electrical engineering and mathematics. Their life together was one of learning, laughter, and love. They moved to New York then Colorado, where they settled in Boulder. During these early years of their marriage they welcomed two daughters, Susan and Lori. In Boulder they expanded their family further with two sons, Gary and James. Roger lived a life of service and devotion—to his wife, his children, his friends, and his community. He taught his kids how to ski, fish, ride horses, and appreciate the outdoors. Weekends were spent camping, boating, mountain climbing, water skiing, and motorcycling. He created a childhood filled with adventure and love. A man of many talents, Roger was also a gifted artist and musician. He brought joy through his drawings, wooden and clay sculptures, songs on the guitar and piano, and the playful stories he made up for his children—including the legendary pancake doghouse. Roger's creativity extended to engineering and building. Whether it was a patio, grill, irrigation system, playhouse, sleigh, or puppet stage, he poured care and craftsmanship into every project. His generosity and talent touched both family and friends. After an early retirement from IBM, Roger continued to teach, sharing his knowledge at colleges in Texas, Guam, and eventually back at Dickinson State University. He and Bernadette embraced retirement by traveling widely, exploring the country in their motorhome, sailing their 36-foot boat “DaJoLiKat,” and riding Roger’s Goldwing motorcycle on long tours. He even took up scuba diving. Roger was a proud and grateful friend of Bill W. for nearly 50 years, dedicating countless hours to personal growth and mentoring others. He volunteered in prisons to help men find sobriety and purpose. In his final years, Roger lived with Bernadette and his son Gary’s family, enjoying the beauty of Colorado, the company of his loved ones, and helping his wife tend the garden. His son James lived nearby in Denver, adding to the closeness of their later years. Roger is survived by his beloved wife, Bernadette; his children, Susan (Jerry) Davis, of Huntsville, AL, Lori (Ace) Acevedo, of Minot, ND, Gary (Sharon) Kiwimagi, of Parker, CO, and James Kiwimagi, of Denver, CO; his grandchildren, Joshua (Gina), Katherine (Sihong), David (Alexis), Emily (Kyle), Carrie, and Anton; and his great-grandchildren, Oliver, Elsie, Nathaniel, and Liliana. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Elvina Kiwimagi; his brother, Donald; his Aunt Bobbi (Kaspberg) and Uncle Duke Kivamagi; and his cherished granddaughter, Lindsay Davis.
Red ID: FND_I_79086 Image ID: 525766 Image Notes: FND001 271589

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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