Jerry Theodore Rollie, 89, of Spring Valley, Minn., passed away peacefully at Spring Valley Living Center Wednesday, October 12, 2022.
He was born to Martha (Meyer) and Theodore Rollie on December 18, 1932, in rural Wykoff, Minn. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Wykoff. Jerry was raised on the family farm south of Wykoff. He graduated from Wykoff High School where he played in the band and was active in sports.
Jerry married Marlene Schmidt on January 4, 1953. In March 1953, he enlisted in the United States Army, proudly serving from 1953-1955. Marlene traveled with their six-week old son Myron to Puerto Rico to join him while stationed there for a year.
Following an honorable discharge, he began a 44-year farming career. He believed the farm was the best place to raise their four children. During his years of farming, he had many supplemental jobs: Libby’s, Opsall-Kavanaugh Motors, Raymond Finke’s Sawmill, Schroeder Mining, Kappers Sand and Gravel, and for a period of time he owned a canned milk route.
After years of milking cows, Jerry made a surprising and rewarding career change, working 17 years in advertising sales for Phillips Publishing Company.
He enjoyed playing softball, cards, bowling, dancing to the Blue Denim Farmers, following local and professional sports, and reading historical books.
Jerry was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church Council, Wykoff Co-op Board, American Legion of Spring Valley and the Wykoff Veteran’s Memorial Committee.
His family enjoyed listening to him sing and especially “O Holy Night” on Christmas Eve. Another of their favorites was “How Great Thou Art.”
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, son Timothy, brother Ronald, grandson Mychal, two brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, son Myron (Ellen Fenstermacher), daughters Sheri (Donovan) Ramaker and Brenda (Mark) Herting, daughter-in-law Elaine Rollie; Grandchildren Damon (Kylie Cousineau) Ramaker, Tyler (Janelle Stauff) Ramaker, Daniel (Jessica Yetzer) Rollie, Joel Rollie, Andy (Mackenzie Patton) Herting, and Alyssa Herting; 8 great-grandchildren Ruby, Lucy, Walter, June, Isaac, Kennedy, Carter, and Lincoln; and brother Phillip (Jean) Rollie.
The family would like to thank all the staff the Spring Valley Living Center and St. Croix Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley, with Pastor Jolene Knudson-Hanse officiating. Burial will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Wykoff, Minn. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. at the church on Saturday.
Online condolences may be left at Hindtfuneralhomes.com.
Lee Anne Omavuohrerhe ( Meyer) says
I am so sorry for your loss. I have so many memories of the family time on mom and dads farm, and also at mom and dads house in Wykoff. All the horse shoe that was played. All the laughs. Great memories. You are in my prayers.