Roger Wayne Egerdahl

Roger Wayne Egerdahl

Roger Wayne Egerdahl, born in Deadwood SD December 3rd 1948 passed peacefully January 1, 2016 surrounded by his loving family.

As a young boy in rural South Dakota Roger had only one classmate through seventh grade and was shocked to have over 100 classmates when he attended the high school in town!  While attending Lead High School class of ‘67, he worked at Carr’s Pizza as well as Homestake Gold Mine. South Dakota was not a hotbed for Democratic principles. However, Roger’s father Axel, president of the local steel workers union and vice president of the AFL-CIO, taught his son about labor-related priorities and organizing for them.

At age eighteen Roger petitioned onto the ballot for Lawrence County Dem Chair and all voters in the county regardless of political party were required to vote. Roger won the Democratic election becoming the youngest South Dakotan elected Democratic County Chair. (It should be noted, however, that Roger was the only Democrat in Lawrence County!)

Roger met Suki in High School, and later married in 1969. They had three daughters together. Then later divorced before Roger moved to Colorado.

In 1972 Roger moved to Colorado and worked for Coors brewing company in Golden for 33 years and retired from the company as the SVP of Quality Control. Not long after moving to Colorado Roger met Louis Janak. Roger and Louis started their love affair of 30 plus years and successful business, “Background Screening” which they ran for over 20 years.

Roger became fully engaged in the Jeffco Dems in 1983. He brought ideas and experiences from South Dakota to Jeffco Dems for “getting organized!” 

Roger held multiple offices within the Jefferson County Democratic Party.  Besides being a captain and precinct committee person, he was Secretary of the County Party from the late 1980's until the early 1990's. He served several terms on the Colorado State Central Committee.  He was treasurer for numerous campaigns. He was Chair of HD 24 and Chair of the 7th Congressional District.  He was the Democrat of the Year and the Eleanor Roosevelt Recipient. 

In recent years, Roger found a love for traveling that he never knew existed. Cruises with his best friend Judi Butz became his favorite way to travel. The two took several Cruises a year for the last 8 years, which took him all over the World.

The only passion Roger had greater than his politics, was his Family. He had an immense love for his Children and their families, especially for his Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren.

He was a brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend, colleague, and a damn good democrat. 

Roger is survived by his three brothers and their spouses; Rick Egerdahl, Billy and Deb Egerdahl, and Jimmy and Barb Egerdahl. Ex wife Suki Brinkman, and his three daughters and spouses; Crystal and Cory Comeau, Dawn and Larry Romero, and Denice and Brad Louder. 7 Grandchildren. 2 great-grandchildren. and several Neice’s and Nephew’s.

He is preceded in death by his partner Louis Janak, his parents Axel and Pinky Egerdahl. Sister Judy Burks. And Sister in-law Lana Egerdahl.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 30, 2016 at 1:30 PM at the Sheet Metal Workers Union.  (7510 W. Mississippi Ave., Lakewood, CO 80226.) The family values every memory you choose to share with them. In order to accomodate all speakers it is requested that all memories be kept to two minutes or less, and we thank you in advance for attending and sharing.   

In lieu of Flowers, Memorial donations can be made to American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org.  800-227-2354.  Please indicate that the donation is made in memory of Roger Egerdahl

    GO BRONCOS!!!!

Family & friends are encouraged to share stories and photograph's of Roger here on his website (click appropriate tab above,) or are welcome to send sympathy cards to the mortuary to forward to the family.