Roger Klemisch

Roger William Klemisch of New Salem, entered into eternal life, on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at CHI St. Alexius Health Center in Bismarck, after a 3-month battle with advanced liver cancer. He was 71. His departure from this earth has left a tremendous void in the lives of his family, friends, and community of New Salem, ND.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at St. Pius V Catholic Church in New Salem with Fr. Stephen Folorunso celebrating. Burial will follow at St. Pius Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at St. Pius Church with a Rosary/Parish Vigil at 6 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Roger was born on September 16, 1953, in Drayton, ND. He was the third eldest of (11) children to Robert (Bob) and Dolores (Hoffarth) Klemisch. He attended Drayton Public School, excelling in sports (especially basketball), graduating in 1971. His basketball prowess led him to be recruited by numerous colleges in the region, eventually deciding to attend Mary College, in Bismarck. After a 4-year stint, he became the men’s basketball program’s all-time leading rebounder, a record which still stands today, 50 years later. (He’d also note that he remains sixth on the list of all-time leading scorers, before the inception of the 3-point line!) It was during this time where Roger had his first foray driving school bus, as he would drive his team from campus to town for practice. Coincidentally, he also happened to graduate with a BS in Elementary Education. (He was later inducted into the Marauder Hall of Fame in 1992, as the first ever member for men’s basketball). After college, Roger took a position as an elementary school teacher in New Salem, ND, in 1975, while also coaching girls’ and boys’ basketball. He liked to joke that he spent 33 years in the fifth grade. His coaching career spanned decades, teaching hundreds of young men and women his love of basketball (and perhaps critiquing the calls of an official on more than one occasion). His most successful team made the girls’ state championship game in 1993, losing by 1 point, for their only loss of the season. And would you believe that for a majority of his coaching career, he also drove the bus to/from the games? During his early days in New Salem, Roger acquired a 1967 Chevrolet C10 pickup, which his family and friends referred to as “Old Blue”. This truck would become his daily-driver, work pickup, and hunting vehicle for over 35 years. He got a kick out of asking people to “move my truck for me”, which was really a test, to see if they could drive a 3-speed column shift manual transmission.

It was in New Salem that he also met the love of his life, Mary Lou Doll. They were married on June 20, 1981, at St. Pius V Catholic Church in New Salem. They were blessed with a son, Kelly, born in 1983, and twin daughters, Allison and Angela, born in 1987. Together, Roger and Mary Lou raised their children in New Salem, teaching them lessons about hard work, life, and faith. Roger was never without a job to do. Outside of teaching and coaching, Roger painted houses and barns (employing many siblings, friends, and eventually his son), mowed lawns, cut (butched) trees, refereed basketball, and you guessed it, drove a bus route for the school district, until his passing. Rarely did you find Roger in a bad mood…he was bigger than life; always the life of the party. Quick witted, always ready to share a joke, most too inappropriate to mention here. He also gave nicknames to many, no matter if they approved of the nickname or not. And he would communicate not only with his voice, but also with a slap of your shoulder or leg…a move that was anticipated (and feared) by all that knew him. Roger and Mary Lou loved to travel, especially in their retirement years. They were proud to have visited all 50 US states, most of the Canadian provinces, and over 20 countries in North and South America, and Europe. They cherished this period of their life, exploring the world together, along with close friends and family. Roger was a notoriously competitive card player, especially the game of pinochle. In his early days in New Salem, he joined the golf club…to play cards after everyone else finished golfing! He shared his pinochle passion with his family, friends, and other community members. He did not share this passion with all those who refused to play with him, when he “advised them of their shortcomings”, i.e. didn’t play the game to his standards! He also enjoyed fishing, hunting deer and birds, and never once shot a pheasant from his pickup window. Grandpa was perhaps Roger’s favorite title, as there was nothing he wouldn’t do for his grandchildren. He never missed a birthday, sporting event, or any of their other activities…and was also their private basketball coach. His fridges, freezers, and cabinets were well-stocked with ice cream treats, pop, and salted nut rolls.

Roger is survived by his wife and soulmate of nearly 44 years, Mary Lou; his son Kelly (Brittany), Bismarck; his daughters Allison (Andrew) Thiel, New Salem, and Angela (Brandon) Becker, New Salem; his (9) grandchildren, Preston, Brayden, and Landon Thiel, New Salem, Athena, Aurora, Aspen, and Brody Becker, New Salem, Paxton and Parker Klemisch, Bismarck; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Ken (Denise), Bellevue, Nebraska; Mike (Kathy), Grand Forks, ND; Wayne (Lucille), Bismarck; Bob (Nicole), Mandan; Dan (Deb), Bismarck; Jeff (Lisa), Kenai, Alaska; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Darlene (Keith) Bondley, Bismarck; Diane (Gary) Winterquist, West Fargo, ND; Carol (Scott) Harr, Bismarck; brother-in-law Chris Doll, Solen, ND, and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Dolores, his father-in-law Frank Fleck, his father and mother-in law, Jack and Angie Doll, his brother and sister-in-law, David and Merrilee Klemisch, brother-in-law Jackie Doll, and many other close friends and family. The family intends to use memorials to honor Roger, in association with New Salem Holstein Athletics. And finally, in the words of Roger himself, “Keep a tight one!”