The Rev. Roy R. Bloomquist, age 95, of Golden Valley, MN, formerly of Merrill, died Monday, Sept. 29, 2014, at Minneapolis North Ridge Nursing Home, New Hope, MN.
Roy was born April 18, 1919, in Merrill, son of the late Elmer and Anna (Neunast) Bloomquist. He married Marjorie P. Langvand on December 17, 1945, in Seattle, Washington. She preceded him in death on March 25, 2007. Roy graduated from Merrill Senior High School in 1937. He then attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois for two years. Thereafter, Roy served with the U.S. Army during World War II, and was stationed in New Guinea, The Philippines. After his honorable discharge, Roy enrolled at the University of Wisconsin – Superior, graduating in 1948. Roy then returned to Augustana College – Theological Seminary in Rock Island, Illinois. As a student pastor, Roy served the Calvary Presbyterian Church, Iron River, Wisconsin, and Zion Lutheran Church, Superior, Wisconsin. Rev. Roy was ordained in 1951, and from 1951 until 1955, he was the parish pastor at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Berkley, Illinois. Rev. Roy then joined the faculty at Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis for one year. From 1956 until 1961, Rev. Roy served with the faculty at Seattle Lutheran Bible Institute, Seattle, Washington. In 1961, Rev. Roy returned to Minneapolis for a special assignment as Radio Director/Radio Pastor for the ‘Psalm of Life’ radio program, a position he held for 24 years. While Rev. Roy was with the radio ministry he also served a camp director for 11 years at Mount Carmel Camp, Alexandria, Minnesota. He retired in 1985.
Survivors include his daughter, Leila Beth Bloomquist-Sarset, Omaha, Nebraska; his son, Daniel (Terri) Bloomquist, Golden Valley, Minnesota; his granddaughter, Sarah Ann Sarset, Omaha, Nebraska; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his wife and parents, Rev. Roy was preceded in death by two sisters, Lola Dietrich and Ethel Stine, and three brothers, Lester, Carl, and Edgar Bloomquist.
A Graveside Service for Rev. Roy R. Bloomquist will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, October 2, 2014, at Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery, Merrill, Wisconsin. The Rev. Susan Christian will officiate. Graveside military rites will be conducted by the Merrill V.F.W. Post 1638 Honor Guard. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.