Robert Ray Rolph, 92, Luverne, died Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, with a time of sharing at 1:30 p.m., at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. A graveside committal service with military honors will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery near Luverne.
Robert Rolph was born June 27, 1924, to Verne and Florence (Anderson) Rolph in Magnolia Township. He was raised on the farm and attended school in Magnolia. Bob graduated from Magnolia High School in June 1942. Throughout his upbringing, Bob worked with his father, who taught him the trade of carpentry. In 1943 he joined the United States Army. During his service, Bob worked as a medic and was stationed in both Florida and Alaska. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home and continued working as a carpenter.
On May 18, 1948, Bob married Eva Lou Lafrentz at Peace Lutheran Church. The couple made their home in Luverne. Bob went to work in a cabinet shop in Luverne owned by Vernon Frakes. In 1958 he bought the shop from Vern and operated the business as Rolph’s Cabinet Shop until his retirement. Eva Lou died June 23, 2007.
Bob led a very simple life. He enjoyed reading, listening to music and playing cards, especially pinochle. He and Eva Lou enjoyed traveling, including trips to Hawaii, Alaska and Okinawa, Japan. Most of all, Bob loved his wife and family.
Bob is survived by two daughters, Cheryl (Larry) Nath and Patricia Rolph, all of Luverne; ten grandchildren, Tracy LaSueur, Shelley Kurasaka, Joshua, Jeremiah, Jennifer, Joseph, Jonathan, and Jacob Nath, Kristy, and Mikkel Olsen; six great-grandchildren; and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eva Lou; a daughter, Jerallee Kurasaka; his parents; two brothers, Doug and Zane Rolph; and two infant twin sisters.
Arrangements are by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www. Hartquistfuneral.com.
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