Roger Geertsema

    ROGER GENE GEERTSEMA, age 82, of Worthington, died Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Sunset Hospice Cottage in Worthington. Roger was born in Lake Park, IA on February 4, 1944, to Ralph and Lola (Bettinger) Geertsema. He graduated from the Round Lake High School in 1962 before enlisting in the United States Army.

    Roger enlisted in the Army on June 13, 1962 and served his country during the Vietnam Conflict. He was honorably discharged on June 11, 1965. After his time in the service, Roger worked for a Hearing Aid Company in Wayzata, MN, and then he moved to Mankato and worked as a Bartender before returning to Round Lake, MN where he worked for Scheppman Construction Company in Heron Lake, MN. Roger then moved to Worthington, where he worked for Daily Globe covering Worthington sports.

    Roger was a member of the Round Lake Legion, Worthington VFW, Elks, and Eagles Club. He had a passion for sports as he was an All-State Football Player in 1961, a four-year Letter Winner at the Round Lake High School, and covered sports for the Daily Globe for 16 years. Unfortunately, Roger suffered from a stroke in 2001, but that didn't stop him from continuing to be involved in athletics. He started volunteering for the Worthington High School Gymnastics Team in 2003 and has been its number one fan ever since. Other accomplishments and awards include the Minnesota Associated Press Award, the Worthington Hockey Playmaker Award, the Minnesota West Community Service Award, and the Worthington YMCA Dedication to Young People Award.

    Roger was inducted into the WHS Hall of Fame in 2009.

    He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Douglas Geertsema; and three infant siblings, Marlyn, Stanley, and Katheryn.

  Roger is survived by his sister, Connie Geertsema, Ellsworth; brother, Donald (Barb) Geertsema, Hinton, IA, and their children, Michelle Geertsema, of Sioux Falls, SD; Jennifer (Bruce) Keller and their children, Drew and Emma, Hinton, IA; Brian (Nikki) Geertsema and their daughter, Raelyn, of Northfolk, NE; 2 Nieces, Shawn (Jeff) Koerselman, Little Rock, IA, and their children, Haley, Jesse, and Kody; and Lisa (Jeff) Dean, Lakefield, MN, and their children, Jordan and Aaron; and a Nephew, Robbie Geertsema, Tula Vista, CA.

    Roger is also survived by his special friends, Coach Joni Reitmeier (Ryan Weber) and their daughter, Jordis, Worthington, MN; former gymnastics coach, Shelly Eklund and her daughter, Jaeleigh, Rosemount, MN; Doug (Marilyn) Frisch, Worthington; Al (Connie) Reitmeier, of Bigelow, MN; Richard Barr, Worthington; and all the parents, coaches, and managers and the hundreds of girls who competed for WHS Trojan Gymnastics teams.

    Memorial service will be 7 pm Wednesday, April 22 at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Worthington. A time of fellowship will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Wednesday.

A private family burial will take place at a later date.

    In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to SWAGS Gymnastics. If unable to attend the visitation and/or service, please mail to Joni Reitmeier (886 Sterling Avenue, Worthington, MN 56187)