Roger B. Landsburg

Roger Bruce Landsburg, born in Benton Harbor, Michigan on August 14, 1941, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 6th, 2023. Growing up in the town of Fennville, MI, the fruit growing region along the shores of Lake Michigan, would prove to be instrumental in shaping his life.

As a young entrepreneur he ran a lawn mowing business, a paper route, picked fruit, and worked with the family business. His mother a teacher, his father the superintendent of schools, together they also owned an agricultural supply business named The Fennville Milling Company. This is where the seeds were planted for his love of growing and teaching, and also where he learned his strong work ethic.

Roger graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in horticulture and a master’s degree in vocational education. After several years teaching horticulture in Michigan, a new chapter unfolded in 1971 when Roger accepted a job teaching landscape horticulture at the Vocational Technical School in Brainerd, MN. He didn’t know a single person when he moved to Brainerd and intended to stay only a few years, but he quickly grew to enjoy the welcoming and friendly community. Soon after, his path was forever changed when he met Marie, and together they decided to plant their roots here.

Roger’s entrepreneurial spirit really flourished in his 30’s, as he started building his landscaping business on the side. Eventually he left his teaching job, and he and Marie built Landsburg Landscape Nursery on Hwy 371, officially opening the doors in the spring of 1979. People told him they were crazy for buying land three miles north of Brainerd and building a business “so far out of town.” Due to his hard work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit, their business blossomed. He was very proud to have helped make the Brainerd Lakes area a more beautiful place for the last 44 years!

Roger was very active in the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association. Initially he worked on certification and education, held every leadership position, and finally working his way up to president. He and Marie traveled the country, visiting other operations, always striving to learn and improve.

A very generous man, he always felt the need to help others. He volunteered at MN Adult and Teen Challenge, where he helped to mentor folks fighting addiction. A 50-year member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Roger shared his time and talents with the church in many capacities whenever and wherever it was needed.

His hands always at work in the soil, he found great joy in sharing his bumper crops with friends and family. In fact, he loved growing trees and gardening so much he could easily be accused of growing way too much! Cruising the calming waters of Gull Lake and the ocean waters of Marco Island topped his list of interests, as did the challenge of a great game of golf and traveling around the world.

Family was everything to Roger and he was incredibly proud of each one of them. His legacy of hard work, strong morals and family values will live on in his wife Marie Landsburg, children; John Landsburg (Tina), Katie Stewart (Rob), and grandchildren; Marlee Olson (Andrew), Madison Landsburg, Tyler Stewart, Ava Stewart, great grandchild Noah Olson, and brother David (Sandee). Roger is proceeded in death by his parents Keith Landsburg and Cora Landsburg.

Friends and family are invited to join in a celebration of his life at Halvorson-Taylor Funeral Home on Monday, December 18th, 2023. Visitation will take place from 10am-Noon, the memorial service will begin at 12:00 noon, and a lunch will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Rogers's memory are preferred to:

*Hospice Good Samaritan Society, 24090 Smiley Rd #200, Nisswa, 56468

*The MN Adult and Teen Challenge, 2424 Business 371, Brainerd 56401

*Or the charity of your choice.