Helen Rollag

Helen Lu Rollag, formerly of Brookings, South Dakota, passed away Oct. 7, 2024, under the loving care of family and hospice in Litchfield Park, Arizona, at the age of 88. Though she will be greatly missed, her family rejoices that she is fully healed and in the arms of her Savior Jesus.

She was born July 26, 1936, in Jasper, Minnesota, the youngest of three children to Leon and Jessie Haggard.  When she was 3 years old, her dad passed away and her family relocated to Luverne, Minnesota. She had so many fond memories of growing up in Luverne and cherished her friends from there. She always looked forward to attending the Luverne High School reunions each year as a member of the class of 1954. 

On September 1, 1956, she was united in marriage to Dwayne Allen Rollag, her husband of 66 years.  Dwayne would often say that Helen was instrumental in helping him achieve his PhD in Civil Engineering by caring for their young children, managing their home, and supporting him in his studies. She typed his dissertation using a manual typewriter, on triple carbon-copy paper. She also meticulously managed their finances using Dave Ramsey’s financial principles, long before they even existed.

Together the couple raised three girls, Susan, Mary, and Lisa, while making their home in Brookings, South Dakota.  There Helen worked in administrative assisting first for the Brookings Abstract Company, before serving many years at South Dakota State University.  She was proud to be a part of the Jackrabbit community and to work for the wonderful faculty and students of the Dairy Science Department.  After retiring, Dwayne and Helen split their time between Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Goodyear, Arizona.

Outside of work, Helen loved to golf, garden, read, and do the newspaper cryptoquips and crossword puzzles.  Mostly she found great joy in spending time with those she loved, including her family, friends, and of course her cats. She and Dwayne were big fans of school sports or events, especially when their girls or grandchildren were involved. Helen treasured her time walking or having coffee with friends.  She was an avid gamer, participating in two bridge clubs and always encouraging a game of cards or Yahtzee with family. She had a generous heart, supporting many organizations known for helping those in need. She loved the Lord and faithfully attended service and volunteered in the office at First Lutheran Church of Brookings.

Helen is survived by her three daughters, Susan (Joe) Bowar of Litchfield Park, Arizona, Mary Liggons of Litchfield Park, Arizona, and Lisa (Dan) Ostlie of Fargo, North Dakota; grandchildren Keesha and Theron Liggons, and Lauren, Ben, and Sarah Ostlie; great-grandchild Brielle Davis; sister Winifred Haggard of DeSmet, South Dakota; sister-in-law Sharon Snuttjer of Clive, Iowa, and sister-in-law Rhea Jean (John) McBride of St. Paul, Minnesota, as well as many nieces and nephews, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dwayne Rollag, parents Leon and Jessie Haggard, brother and spouse Dale (Sonia) Haggard, and great-grandson Kyrie Davis; also parents-in-law Orville and Rose Rollag, siblings-in-law and their spouses Donavan (Catherine) Rollag, Doris (Diedrik) Nelson, Darlene (Gene) Vandekop, and brothers-in-law David Rollag and Jerome Snuttjer.

Condolences may be sent to the family at 18216 W. Georgia Court, Litchfield Park, Arizona 85340.  In Iieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Dwayne and Helen Rollag Scholarship Endowment in CE at SDSU by mail: In memory of Helen Rollag to SDSU Foundation, Lohr Building, 815 Medary Avenue, Brookings, SD 57006.

A graveside ceremony will take place at a later date at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne, Minnesota.