Roger Vraa

Roger Vraa, age 81, of Alexandria, Minnesota, passed away on July 7, 2022 after a three-year battle with cancer. He was born to Arlo Vraa and Ruby Nephew on October 25, 1940 in Winger, Minnesota. He grew up in Fosston, Minnesota and graduated from Fosston High School in 1958. He continued his further education during 36 years of his insurance career. His job history consisted of working at a movie theater in Fosston, Minnesota, as a parts manager at Salem Motors in Crookston, Minnesota, and as an insurance agency manager in Forsyth, Montana. After retirement, he worked as a morning stock person in the garden area at Menards in Alexandria. He met his wife, Karen, in Fertile, Minnesota. They were married in 1965. Karen and Roger recently celebrated their 57th anniversary. They lived in Crookston, Minnesota, where they had their two children, Michelle and Mike. While living in Crookston, Roger enjoyed playing softball on the Maple Bay softball team. They moved to Forsyth in 1973 and lived there until 2009. While working in insurance he worked as a volunteer fireman in Forsyth for 20 years. He also started his life-long love of golf while living in Forsyth. After retiring from insurance in 2009, Roger and Karen moved to Alexandria, Minnesota to be closer to family. They built amazing friendships with those they met in their Newcomer’s Group. While living in Alexandria, Roger supported Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army and was active in his church. He will be warmly remembered as a man who loved his wife, children, and grandchildren, along with his family and Karen’s family. He looked forward to talking to everyone he met and bringing a smile to their faces. He loved telling stories. He is survived by his loving wife, Karen; a daughter, Michelle Calkin (Rob) of Matthews, North Carolina; his son Mike Vraa (Sonja) of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota; his grandkids Hayley Adams (Austin), Chad Calkin, Alex Vraa, and Gavin Vraa; his sister Arlene Schmidt; and his many nieces and nephews. The Celebration of Life will take place at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria, Minnesota. Visitation with the family will be held from 9:00 – 10:00 am. “Golf polo casual” is suggested for the service to celebrate Roger’s love of golf. Livestream of the service will be available on Anderson’s website. https://www.andersonfuneral.net/obituary/Roger-Vraa The family would like to thank Dr. Raflores and her staff in the Oncology department and Dr. Mehmood and the staff at Alomere Hospital for their compassionate treatment and care of Roger during his cancer journey.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022, 10:00 AM at the Anderson Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior.