Longtime Alaskan and Ninilchik resident Roger Dale Wiste, 67, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023 at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date in both Alaska and Minnesota.

Roger was born Sept. 25, 1956 in Austin, Minn. He grew up and received his education in Austin, graduating from Austin Public High School in 1975. He enlisted in the U.S. Army later that same year. He served in the Army until his honorable discharge on Dec. 21, 1978.

Roger moved to Alaska in 1993 and lived in Homer and Ninilchik. He worked at Deep Creek Cannery, Deep Creek Fishing Club and most recently at Twin Rivers Liquor Store in Ninilchik, from where he retired.

His family wrote, “From the time he was a small boy, he wanted to fish, hunt, trap, snowmachine, demolition derby, and anything that had to do with the outdoors. His love of nature, fishing, hunting, trapping and the beautiful mountains are what brought him to Alaska.”

“From a young age, some of his best friends were his dogs that went wherever he went. Roger yearned to live and die in Alaska, but he bled purple for the Minnesota Vikings. Win or lose, they remained his favorite.”

“With his blood family living in the Lower 48, Roger developed friendships that became his Alaskan family. He would often share stories about his Alaskan family and he truly loved them.”

Roger was preceded in death by his father, Dale Wiste, brother, Raymond Wiste, maternal and paternal grandparents, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Those left to cherish his memory include his mother and stepfather, Joan and Wayne Skov of Lyle, Minn.; stepmother, Bonnie Wiste of Austin, Minn.; sister and brother-in-law, Renae and Dayle Goskesen of Austin, Minn., sister-in-law, Lill Wiste of Plainview, Minn.; sister and brother-in-law, Rhonda and John DeVries of Austin, Minn.; many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and stepsisters and their spouses; and his Alaskan family of friends.

Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.