Roger Dean Komperud

Roger Dean Komperud (78) was born July 28, 1945, in Galesville, Wi and passed May 4th, 2024, in La Crosse, Wi. His family moved to Minneapolis where Roger attended grade/high school in Minneapolis. They moved around for his father’s work and later moved to the La Crosse area.

Roger and his wife Colleen Kennedy met at the Vogue bar in La Crosse, Wi. in about 1979. Colleen had moved to La Crosse after a four-year marriage/divorce from someone in Madison and wanted to start a new life after the divorce, so she came to beautiful La Crosse. After being here and working for a week, one of the women she worked with said "you look like you could use a drink". Colleen said, “you bet”, so she went with her to the Vogue bar. She met Roger that night, and thought he was very handsome. They didn't start dating then, it was a few weeks later when Colleen saw him again at that bar.

Roger & Colleen did fall in love and got married on April 19, 1980. Colleen kept her last name because she was married before and didn't like her name then, so she told Roger she was going to keep her last name. He said that was ok, so she figured with him being Norwegian and her being Irish, Kennedy went better with Colleen then it did with Komperud.

Roger was working for Paul's heating and air conditioning as a sheet metal worker for mostly residential installation. One of his co-workers said he was the best tinner in the business, "he made tin sing". He also worked at Cargill's as well doing sheet metal fabrication.

He was a veteran, served in the Navy and received an honorable discharge before he joined the Naval Reserve.

When he wasn't working, Roger would do major jobs around his & Colleen’s new home they had built on French Island. He designed and built the terrace in the back yard for all her plants. They grew cactus plants he got from Ft. McCoy, one of Colleen’s favorites. Who knew cactus would grow in Wisconsin?

When they moved to Dakota, MN in 2000, Roger tore down the old deck on the property and built the new one all by himself. His knees were never the same after he built that deck.

Roger & Colleen enjoyed camping at Fort McCoy in Sparta where Roger did a lot of fishing and bow hunted for deer as well.

They had four different motorcycles, 1 Kawasaki, and 3 different Harleys which they loved. The first Harley was called a Softail, which they took to Sturgis for the annual rally, Milwaukee for their annual birthday bashes, and Door County with friends. They had custom saddle bags made for it. They got the second Harley, a Road Glide, because Colleen just couldn't handle the long rides on the very small rider seat of the Softail. So, Roger took pity on her and bought the "blue cruiser", Road Glide. It had the most comfortable seat ever. Colleen would fall asleep at times because it was so comfortable. Roger never really did like the cruiser as much as she did, so they traded it for a more streamlined Fat Boy.

When they really couldn't ride motorcycles much anymore, they bought a Mazda Miata. It was painted black and had a tan convertible roof with tan leather seats, a real beauty. They loved that car as it still had the open road feeling, which was almost as fun as motorcycles. Almost.

Roger was the best husband, a wonderful father to Jennifer (Roberts), a great friend and neighbor.

Roger is survived by his wife Colleen Kennedy, his daughter Jennifer Roberts, his brother John Komperud, and many other extended family members.

He is preceded in death by his parents Archibald & Joyce (Johnson) Komperud, as well as his older brother.

A memorial gathering will take place at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home in La Crescent, Mn on May 18th from 9:30a.m. – 11:30a.m. Burial will follow immediately after at the French Island Cemetery. Some light food will be provided by the family at the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the La Crescent Animal Shelter.

“I miss him so much, and until we meet again, please my love, rest in peace”.

-Colleen