Roger Lee Suurmeyer

Roger’s education was completed in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He graduated from Lincoln High School in May 1967 and subsequently earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Augustana College in May 1971.

During his college years, he worked part time as an orderly at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Here he met his future wife, Joyce Olinger.

After finishing college, he married Joyce on August 6, 1971 at his home church, First United Methodist Church, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Roger subsequently joined the US Army Reserves, joining a unit stationed in Galveston, Texas, necessitating their move to Texas. Their honeymoon trip was their move to Texas.

After living in Galveston for about 6 months, Roger and Joyce moved to Houston, Texas. Roger received training for a career in Real Estate, initially as a sales agent, then as a real estate broker, then as a residential real estate appraiser. He achieved his RM (Residential Member) designation from the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers in 1988. He was a member of the Houston Board of Realtors for many years.

After an approximately 5-year hiatus (1996-2000) when he moved back to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, during which time he cared for his parents before they passed away, Roger then moved back to Texas to resume his real estate appraisal career. In 2001, Roger became the owner and sole proprietor of his own real estate appraisal firm. During the next 18+ years, he completed thousands of appraisals. He loved his work and enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life. He very reluctantly retired in 2020 due to health reasons.

As a youth during summer camp, Roger placed his faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Roger’s faith was very important to him. Roger was active in church ministries, singing tenor in choir, teaching Sunday School for a time, and was instrumental in beginning and serving in a jail ministry through Founders Baptist Church. He also was a member of Gideons International, where he participated in Bible distributions.

Roger enjoyed participating in several outdoor sports including basketball, fishing, tennis, and golf. He also enjoyed coaching youth soccer and softball teams.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, George and Joyce Suurmeyer, and his grandparents, George and Edith Adamson.

Roger passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on January 29, 2026 after an almost 7 year battle with Alzheimer's Disease. He is survived by his wife Joyce, his son Karl, his son Joel and his wife Erica, and their 4 children including David, Micah, Hannah, and Adam Suurmeyer. He also has 4 living siblings including Veta Miller of St. Paul, MN, Bob Suurmeyer of Minneapolis, MN, Vicki Farrens of Sioux Falls, SD, and Lori Overton of Fergus Falls, MN.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Gideons International Organization, or the Alzheimer's Association.