A Celebration of Life Service to honor the life and memory of Roland "Rollie" Roesner, age 86, of rural Windom, will be Friday, July 12, 2024, at 2 PM at the Belmont Lutheran Church in rural Jackson. Burial will be held at a later date.

A time of visitation and gathering will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Belmont Lutheran Church in rural Jackson. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM, at the Belmont Lutheran Church in rural Jackson.

Roland Lee Roesner (better known as Rollie) was born at home in Christiana Township, Jackson County Minnesota, on May 12, 1938, to Lucille Rossow Roesner and was adopted by Howard Roesner. Rollie was baptized at St. Peter Lutheran Church, north of Lakefield and confirmed at Our Savior's Lutheran Church of Windom. He attended country school, district # 89, in Belmont township and Jackson High School where he graduated from in 1956. Following graduation, he joined the national guard and began working on the construction of Highway 71 north of Jackson, where he learned the meaning of "hard work".

While visiting his cousin in rural Lakefield, he met his future wife, Joanne, who had been widowed. They were married on January 10, 1959, and the couple made their home in Jackson along with Joanne's young daughter, Marilyn. In 1964, Rollie adopted Marilyn and was so proud to be called "Dad". He worked for a number of years at Bob's Fleet Store. In 1972, Rollie and Joanne ventured to the family farm in Belmont township to start their own gravel business. Later Roesner Engineering included the purchase of multiple road graders to maintain the township roads for Belmont and other townships in the county. Gradually, he added farming to his agenda, along with having a cow/calf operation for many years.

In their early years Rollie and Joanne enjoyed dancing, playing cards, and horseback riding. He was an active member of the Jackson County Saddle Club, going to many horse shows and trail rides during the summers. Rollie also enjoyed taking time out of his busy schedule to fish and teach all of his grandchildren to fish. Many Saturday mornings he could also be found making pancakes in the kitchen as he was a master pancake maker! Rollie was a dedicated volunteer at Fort Belmont in Jackson for many years. He also enjoyed wintering in Arizona and then Texas making friends wherever he went. Later in life he especially enjoyed Ranger rides around the farm to "check on" everything. The greatest joy in life was his family. It is truly what he valued the most.

Rollie passed away peacefully on July 6, 2024, at his home on the farm.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne, of 65 years; daughter, Marilyn (Gary) Reese of Jackson; grandchildren: Melanie Reese, Sara (John Willey) Adkins and Trevor Reese; great-grandchildren: Brandon Weishaar, Reese Adkins, Chase Adkins, Lanie Adkins, Paislee Onken, Madi Reese and Harper Reese; brother Arlen (Jan) Roesner of Willmar, sisters; Diane Mathison of Sioux Falls, SD and Carmyn (Bud) Christopherson of Prior Lake, Rollie's aunt, Mary Finke of Windom; along with many nieces and nephews.

Rollie is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Lucille Roesner, brother Lyle Roesner and granddaughter Jessica Weishaar, along with several other family members.

Arrangements are under the care of the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Jackson. Condolences and memories of Rollie may be sent online to www.lacannefuneralhome.com.