We wish to offer our deepest sympathy and prayers to Roger's family and I am sure he will be pleased to be reunited with his loving wife Jeanette.  Roger was a close friend that I met at St Aloysius Gonzaga School.  We became  friends and grew up together and shared many get togethers and had great times thru all phases of his life.  Roger was very caring of his mother, brother and family.  He was a dedicated, excellent and lifelong mechanic and always had many good stories to share.
We will miss him and it was a privilege to know him.





To the entire Santen family,

Thank you for sharing Roger with me.  My family moved to St. Louis in 1969.  I was 13.  My siblings were younger.  We lived in Crestwood.  Somehow my Dad had the good fortune to learn about Emil Schmidt Auto Service and began a long friendship with Roger and Art.  As we kids grew and started driving we too became customers of Schmidt Auto.  Roger treated us like members of his family and we trusted his advice about cars while he offered up wise counsel about a myriad of other topics.  I married in 1980 and my spouse and I continued to take our vehicles to Schmidt Auto for many years after that.  I’m sorry to hear of Roger’s passing.  He was a good man and one-of-a-kind.  Best wishes and condolences to all of you.  Alan Blair

When our Dad died in 1985, Roger became The Patriarch for the our entire family.  He was waiting in the wings and ready to take over.  He made sure our Mom was well taken care of and  had lunch with her just about every Thursday.  
Growing up he was always Jim's protector.  Look out if anyone mistreated Jim!! 
We never tired of hearing his many stories. 
His friends were his lifelong friends and there were so many.
His talent for mechanics and repairs was legendary, and he generously shared that talent with anyone who needed help. 
So if anything in heaven breaks down, Roger is your man!!!
I love you and will miss you.   
Your Sister, Barbara.

Gary and I were so sorry to hear of Roger's passing. Please know that the entire Santen family is in our prayers.

I was so sorry to hear about Roger.  I am a long time friend of Mary Ellen (since grade school, high school thru the present. (My maiden name was Nischwitz.)  I had been to Roger and Jeanette's house a couple times with Mary and met their three darling daughters.  I thought Mary was so lucky to have nieces.  Jeanette was lovely and I remember Roger's stories in his booming low voice.   Please accept my sincere sympathy for your loss.
Cecilia Young

Fr. Tom, Laura, Jennie, Celeste and Jimmy,

My sincerest condolences.   You are in my heart, thoughts and prayers.

Scott Santen

Fr.  Santen,

Sending our sincere condolences to you and your family.  You and your family will be in our prayers.

Joanna and John Stoverink

Dear Laura, Barb, Tom, Mary Ellen, Jimmy and all Roger's loved ones. 
My family, Marge, Tony, Tom, were always so grateful to Roger for responding to our mom's car needs. Mom trusted Roger so much that one day when  she couldn't get the car started she called Roger and he walked down to the alley and fixed it.  Roger knew it would be hard for her to get the car to him, so Roger went to Mom! That's only one story about Roger's kindness and generosity. I know you will miss him.
Fran Raia

I knew Roger growing up as a child two doors down.  I remember playing with Celeste, and sometimes Laurie or Jenny, too .   .  . and when Roger came home from work .  .  . the girls would  drop everything and excitedly rush to greet him.  Roger joked with us, used to teasingly tell my brother, Kurt, that he was going  to put him in his sausage machine in the basement :-)  
Laurie, Jenny, Celeste; may you find strength in the Lord and comfort in family and friends during this difficult time.
Hugs,
Sheryl (Feegle) Rhodes

RIP Roger!  Laura, Jen, and Celeste, we just loved your dad.  His stories never got old.   They were just as amusing as the first time he recounted them to us.  And his mechanical expertise is legend.  Rocky called him a few times when he was stumped about a vehicle.  I seem to recall that Roger gave him a tip for Matt's Firebird a few years back, and sure enough it fixed the problem.  And that car is still running. 
God be with you all at this time.  You can all feel proud.

Laura, Jennifer, and Celeste,  Thank you for sharing your Dad with us!  His willingness to help others was legendary.  As he once told me:  “I love to work!”  Everyone seemed to know that about your Dad....even a lady in the neighborhood who came to the shop and asked if he would change a light bulb for her....of course he did!  We were blessed to have had him for so many years.  His stories will live on!!! 
Love,  Mary 

OBITUARY

Roger E. Santen

March 29, 1939 – December 31, 2020

Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary

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