Roger Lawrence Durst

Roger L. Durst, age 88 of Woodstock, Georgia and formerly Rochester, Minnesota died January 17, 2025. Roger was born on July 8, 1936 to Sam and Mabel (Tolrud) Durst on the family farm in rural Pine Island, Minnesota (Goodhue County). As a child, he moved with his family to Spring Valley/Grand Meadow Minnesota area, then later near Chatfield, Minnesota where he graduated from High School in 1953. After attending the Minneapolis Business College he began his lifelong business and insurance career with Home Federal Savings and Osterud Insurance Agency in both Spring Valley and Rochester. He later became president of Osterud Agency.

On July 16, 1966 he was united in marriage to Marlene Schroeter at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

In 1975, the family moved from Spring Valley to Rochester where he continued with the Osterud Agency. The firm merged with the C.O. Brown Agency in 1984. He completed his business career by becoming a lease manager for an advertising company and also worked as an independent insurance and safety consultant until retiring in 2007. His passion was researching and recording the family ancestry of his extended family - tracing the family history to Switzerland and Norway. He happily published many printed and digital copies of his work for those interested. He was thrilled to have the opportunity to visit Norway and visit with a 4th cousin near Nissedal, Norway. He dreamed of visiting Switzerland, but that never happened.

Roger is survived by his wife Marlene of 58 years, 2 sons - Brian (Kay) of Woodstock, Georgia and Brent (Loretta) of Lake Stevens, Washington. Roger was also the proud “Poppy” to 5 grandchildren - Ethan, Samantha and Connor of Georgia and Willow and Mya of Washington. Additionally, Roger was an uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers (Ernest of Austin, Minnesota; David of Provo, Utah; Douglas of Rochester, Minnesota) and one sister (Lucille - John/Bud - Stucky of Pine Island, Minnesota).

Roger was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester where he served on the church council and various committees including the role of head usher for many years. After moving to Georgia in 2016 he and Marlene joined Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Woodstock where funeral services will be held on February 8th at 11am with visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. To view the funeral service online click this link, the service is on Feb 8th at 11am EST.

Live Stream

An additional service and inurnment ceremony will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church and the Columbarium in late Spring. Details to follow on this obituary site.

Memorials in lieu of flowers are welcome to either Bethel Lutheran Church, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or a charity of the donor’s choosing are appreciated.

Good Shepherd: 1208 Rose Creek Drive, Woodstock, GA 30189.

Bethel Lutheran: Bethel Lutheran Click on the GIVE button.