Dr. Roger Hallgren

Dr. Roger Hallgren, Age 93, of Belle Plaine, passed away on January 7, 2025, surrounded by his family.

A visitation will be held at Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine on Wednesday, January 22 nd from 4-7 PM. A memorial service will be held at West Union Lutheran Church in Cologne on Thursday, January 23 rd at 11 am with a visitation one hour prior.

Roger was born on May 7, 1931, to Bernhard and Esther (Mellgren) Hallgren in the Swedish hospital. He graduated from high school on May 27, 1949. After high school, Roger attended Medical School at the University of Minnesota and graduated on June 8, 1956. He completed his internship at Milwaukee County Hospital. Shortly after graduation, Dr. Hallgren enlisted in the United States Air Force on June 28, 1956. He was stationed in Goose Bay, Labrador, where he met his wife Shirley, and later served in Riverside, CA. They were married on November 22, 1958, at Travis Air Force Base in Northern California. In 1960, the couple moved back to Belle Plaine where they raised eight children: Barb, Ann, Scott, Steve, Jon, Jenni, Brian, and Kalli. Dr. Hallgren started his medical practice with Dr. Keiser and had 48 years of practice in Belle Plaine. He retired in 2008 at the age of 78.

During his life, Dr. Roger Hallgren had numerous accomplishments and received many awards including; served on the Belle Plaine School Board from 1967-1986; served on the Board of Trustees in New Prague Queen of Peace Hospital; served as active staff at Queen of Peace Hospital, New Prague; Valley Memorial Hospital in Le Seuer; and St. Francis Hospital, Shakopee. In addition to his own practice, he served on the Board of Censors of the Scott-Carver Medical Society; was the Medical Director for Lutheran Home for over forty years. He was awarded the Good Neighbor Award on June 18, 2008; was pronounced a “Pillar of Belle Plaine” by WCCO Radio; and June 19, 2008 was proclaimed Roger Hallgren Day. In his lifetime, he delivered 2,200 babies.

Roger is preceded in death by his parents Bernhard and Esther Hallgren, wife Shirley (2005), son Steve, brother Dale, granddaughter Kaia Banios, and great grandson Liam Harkins. Roger will be deeply missed by his children Barb (Mark) Schaefer, Ann Hallgren, Scott (MaryAnn) Hallgren, Jon (Brenda) Hallgren, Jenni (Bob) Chaussee Hallgren, Brian (Anne) Hallgren, Kalli Matsuhashi, daughter-in-law Kim Hallgren, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.