Gunnar Fosker

Gunnar Fosker, age 81 of Rogers, formerly of Glenwood, died April 15, 2020 at his home in Wellstead of Rogers. Due to governmental restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no public services at this time.  A memorial service for Gunnar is to be announced once the COVID restrictions have lifted. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood. 

Gunnar Fosker, the son of Hans Føsker and Fredrikke (Rognstad) Føsker was born on September 23, 1938, in Oslo, Norway. He grew up in Lørenskog, Norway. Gunnar graduated from high school in Oslo, Norway, where he was a few years behind the current king of Norway, Harald V.  He later attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in German. Before moving to Minnesota to attend college, Gunnar served in the Norwegian army and was stationed at the NATO Headquarters in Norway.

He taught high school for many years, primarily teaching German. He led many student tours to Germany during his years of teaching. He also taught French and Drivers Education, and he coached boys and girls cross country and track. He spent the majority of his teaching years at Glenwood High School, and later at Minnewaska Area High School, retiring in 1998. Prior to moving to Glenwood in 1968, he taught in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota and in Norway. After retiring from teaching, he led several tours to Norway, Germany, Austria and Switzerland with Minnewaska Travel.

He was united in marriage to Marianne Murphy in March, 1962 in Elizabeth, MN. Gunnar and Marianne made their home in Minneapolis and lived in Norway for a year, before moving to Brainerd and ultimately settling in Glenwood. This marriage was blessed with one son, Erik.   Marianne and Gunnar shared 46 years of marriage. In his later years, Gunnar lived in memory care facilities in Glenwood and Rogers, MN.

Gunnar belonged to Sons of Norway Mjøsen Lodge, where he served in many officer positions, including president, and the Glenwood Lions Club.

His hobbies included hunting and fishing, including hunting trips to Montana and fishing trips to Alaska, and spending time at the family cabin in northern Minnesota. Gunnar also enjoyed cross-country skiing, playing cards, spending time with family, and traveling. He even ski-jumped in competitions in Norway as a young man. Gunnar also liked watching the Vikings, Timberwolves, and Minnesota Gophers football and basketball. Gunnar will be remembered as a caring teacher and coach, with a hearty laugh and a good sense of humor. Gunnar passed away Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at the Wellstead of Rogers care facility.

He is survived by his son, Erik (Tina) of Pleasant Hill, California; granddaughter, Emily; brother, Trond (Inger-Anna); many nephews and nieces in Norway and the United States, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marianne; a sister in infancy, Karin ­Fosker; brother, Asbjørn (Inger); nephew, Bjørn Gunnar, brothers-in-law, Pat (Ann), Jimmy and Jerry Murphy, and former sister-in-law Dorothy Madsen.

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