Roger L. Mailand

January 2, 1941 - March 12, 2021

Roger Mailand was a tireless advocate for young people throughout his service, and especially in his work in the Missouri District. Dozens of Directors of Christian Education, pastors, and young leaders can point to Roger as a significant influence in their lives during the critical time of adolescence. He was incredibly generous with his time in serving young people, but especially those who were hurting. I thank God for Roger’s years of service and our prayers go out to Sharon and the family.

President R. Lee Hagan
Missouri District

Roger Lee Mailand of Seward, was born on January 2, 1941 in Seward, Nebraska to Martin Charles and Martha Marie (Crossett) Mailand.  He attended Seward High School, graduating in 1958.  On June 30, 1963, Mailand was united in marriage to Sharon Marie Nokes at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, Nebraska.  Mailand served for 33 years as a Lutheran School teacher and Youth and Athletic Director at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Auburn, Michigan and St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Farmington Hills, Michigan.  He also served as Minister of Christian Education and Youth at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Portage, Michigan.  While in Portage, he served on The Croft Retreat Center Board as treasurer.  He also volunteered at Portage Community Outreach Center (lovingly called PCOC “Peacock”).

Mailand was then called to be the Executive Director of Youth and Family Life in the Missouri District where he served for 14 years.  Upon his retirement from the Missouri District, he and his wife, Sharon, retired to Seward, Nebraska, his birthplace.  He became an active member of St. John Lutheran Church, serving on the Task Force Committee and also on the Evangelism Board for several years.  In his free time he was very active in the local Noon Club of Kiwanis and also sang with the Kitones, the Kiwanis singing group.  He also enjoyed taking family vacations at several National Parks.  Mailand passed away on March 12, 2021 in Seward, Nebraska at the age of 80 years, 2 months and 10 days.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Mailand, Seward, NE; sons, Michael (Diane) Mailand, Kalamazoo, Michigan, Joel (Rebecca) Mailand, Yakima, Washington; grandchildren, Micah Joel Mailand and Ethan Matthew Mailand; brother, Richard (Charleen) Mailand, Seward, Nebraska; brothers-in-law, Lowell (Lorraine) Nokes, Alexandria, Minnesota, Paul (Kathryn) Nokes, Manhattan, Montana, Leslie (Debora) Nokes, Los Lunas, New Mexico, Dennis (Kathy) Nokes, Seguin, Texas, Dale Nokes, Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, Keith (Jerlyn) Nokes, Hayward, California; sister-in-law, Carolyn Nokes;  Del Rio, Texas; niece, Kimberly Mailand Cook; nephew, Todd (Autumn) Mailand; numerous nieces and nephews; and cousins, Janet Giordano, Lonna and Bob Osten.  Roger was preceded in death by his father, Martin Charles Mailand; mother, Martha Marie Crossett Sundermann Mailand Rogers; nephew, Brent James Mailand; brothers-in-law, Raymond Nokes, Gary Nokes; sister-in-laws, Margie (Raymond) Nokes, Jeanne Nokes, Donna Nokes; grandparents, John and Louise Sundermann, John and Wilhelmina Mailand.

The funeral service at St. John will follow current directed health measures, masks are required and social distancing will be observed.

If you cannot attend the service we invite you to worship with us by live streaming on YouTube "St. John Seward Live stream".