Roger Parsons

Dr. Roger A. Parsons, age 85, of St. James, died on Monday, January 28, 2013 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems- St. James. The family prefers memorials be directed the Watonwan Co. Food Shelf, U of M Cancer Research or St. James High School in lieu of flowers. Dr. Roger Parsons passed peacefully early Monday, January 28, 2013 of cerebral hemorrhage. He was a patient at St. James Hospital on the street bearing his name. He was 85, most recently a member of the Prairie View Community in St. James. He is preceded in death by his wife Louise (1988), parents James and Edith Parsons, brothers Richard and Kenneth, sisters Patricia and Evelyn. Dr. Parsons is survived by children, Patty (Bob)Andersen, Margaret (Jon)Newberg, Susan(Mike) Brunson, Robert, Kathryn (Steve) Audette and Jay (Rick) Nordstrom and a brother James Parsons.The city of St. James provided a safe place to raise his family which grew to 36 children, grand, and great-grandchildren. St. James provided Dr. Parsons and his partner, Dr. Keith Moulton, a place to open their practice after they graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1955. In the beginning they chose St. James for its size and friendliness consequently forming deep relationships in the community. Patient trust followed their practice and enriched the life of Dr. Parsons. Roger Parsons was born April 15, 1927 in Fargo, North Dakota. He was raised in Redwood Falls and graduated high school there in 1945. He served in the Army until discharge in 1946. College and medical school followed at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. In 1950 Roger married Louise Montressor in Chicago, graduated medical school in 1953, and moved to St. James where he would live for the next 60 years. Dr. Parsons enjoyed the support he received from the community serving as alderman and later, as mayor of the City of St. James. He was moved to state late in his life that, "The people in St. James are wonderful. It was very satisfying to help take care of them. It's rewarding to know we contributed something to the community. They gave a lot back to us, too." Dr. Parsons enjoyed an active life beginning with high school football and dancing at local ballrooms.Later he became an avid bike rider and enjoyed many summer outings with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren at his lake cabin, swimming, picking strawberries, and various other activities. First Visitation 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday, January 31, 2013 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James 906 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Second Visitation 9:30 am - 10:30 am Friday, February 1, 2013 St. James Catholic Church 707 4th Street S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 10:30 am Friday, February 1, 2013 St. James Catholic Church 707 4th Street S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Calvary Cemetery- St. James East of town on CR 27 Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081