Roger F. LeDuc

Roger was born March 1, 1938, in Spalding, son of the late Francis and Mildred (Preaseau) LeDuc. Roger was a graduate of Marquette High School, Class of 1956.

He obtained his teaching degree and a master’s degree of education from Northern Michigan University, where he met the love of his life, Sue.

He married Suzanne Peterson on Aug. 12, 1961, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ishpeming.

Roger taught and coached in downstate Breckenridge before he and Sue moved their family to Kingsford in 1967. Roger taught physical education and health at Kingsford Middle and High schools, and found great joy in coaching golf, many years of boys basketball and many years of girls basketball. Roger was a no-nonsense teacher and coach, but his students and players knew that he loved them and had their best interests in mind. He imparted not only knowledge and skills, but perhaps more importantly, life lessons about making good choices, reaching goals and living a life of integrity. As much as he loved basketball (and he loved basketball!) he reminded his players and himself that, “Basketball is a little game in the big game of life.” (With that said, we note that he risked his life more than once driving through U.P. winters to make it to a game!)

Roger was a member of Pine Grove Country Club, loved to golf, and spent countless hours there with Sue and friends. He knew every inch of those 18 holes and made many memories at the 19th hole! He was a faithful Detroit Lions fan through thick and thin (mostly thin!) and enjoyed their recent success, even enjoying their most recent win over the Packers! Loyal to the Detroit Tigers and MSU Spartans, he and his brother Gordy had a special relationship with Tom Izzo, attending numerous games and helping several summers at MSU basketball camps.

Roger and some of his best buddies had a regular “coffee club” at Burger King, where they hashed over everything sports. He enjoyed going to coffee with the guys! Roger was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather, who put family first.

He enjoyed attending his kids activities as well as those of his grand and great grandkids. Roger was a faithful member of American Martyrs Church, trusting in Jesus as his savior.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sue; a son, Mark (Jenny) LeDuc of Livonia, Mich.; a daughter, Carrie (Joe) Meeuwsen of Norway; a brother, Gordon (Kay) LeDuc of Marquette; seven grandchildren, Megan (Brian) Guindon, John Meeuwsen, Lexie (Logan) Fish, Jake Meeuwsen, Boris Meeuwsen, Peter Meeuwsen and Rhiannon Meeuwsen; and two great-grandchildren, Cedric and Veda Guindon.

Roger was preceded in death by a sister, JoAnn Aiken.

The family would like to thank the staff at Marshfield/Dickinson ER and medical floor, Dr. Morel and staff, Drs. Audrey and Beau Poquette, the staff of Optalis Health & Rehab, staff at U.P. Health Systems Hospice, MI/WI Family Practice staff, and a special thanks to Dr. Kristi Olson, one of his former basketball players, who gave Roger excellent, compassionate care to the very end.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19 at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 20 at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford. Msgr. Joseph Gouin will offer a Mass of Christian Burial.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in his memory.

Condolences to the family of Roger F. LeDuc may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.