Roger M. Schwanke

Woodland Hills Funeral Home 507-387-5504

Roger M. Schwanke, age 69 of Mankato, passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Mankato.

A Celebration of Roger’s Life will be held on Wednesday, May 31st at 2 P.M. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Mankato, with a visitation one hour prior to services at the church. Cake and Coffee to follow service. Woodland Hills Funeral Home of Mankato is assisting the family with arrangements. www.woodlandhillsfh.com

Roger Michael Schwanke was born December 24th, 1953 in Bemidji, MN to Ernest and Lucy (Coyle) Chesley. His birth mother passed away in July 1957, and Roger and his siblings were split up and placed into foster care. In 1960, Roger and his sister Darlene were adopted by Clayton and Helen Schwanke and grew up in Mankato, MN.

Roger graduated from Mankato High School in 1973. He was reunited with his birth family after High School. He attended Mankato Vocational School for Culinary Arts. He married Wanda Kimble on December 17, 1976 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mankato.

Roger worked the majority of his life as a Resident Assistant at long term care and assisted living facilities.  He was employed at Monarch Meadows in North Mankato prior to his passing.  

Roger enjoyed country music and concerts and was a big Hank Williams and Hank Williams Jr. fan.  Roger and Wanda enjoyed taking trips, especially to Lake Okoboji. He spent many years with family in northern Minnesota during deer hunting season.  One of his favorite past-times was fishing around the Mankato and Waseca area.

Roger is survived by his wife Wanda; sisters Lillian (Ken) Christenson and Carolyn Miasnikov; sister-in-law Kathy Chesley; brothers Tom (Linda) Chesley, James Chesley, Todd (Mary) Schwanke, and Hans (Christy) Schwanke; and many nieces and nephews.

Roger is preceded in death by his birth parents, adopted parents, and his mother and father-in-law Marv and Doris Kimble; brothers Henry Chesley and Donald Chesley; sister Darlene (Dorwin) Anderson; sister in law Joyce Chesley; niece Carla Ulrich; and nephew Eric Schwanke.