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Elmer Rolfes
ELMER J. ROLFES
Marion
Elmer J. Rolfes, 87, of Marion, died peacefully Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Rosary: 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Parish vigil service: 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 7, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion. There also will be visitation one hour before Mass at the church. Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Military honors provided by American Legion Post 298, Marion.
Elmer is survived by his children, Mikayla (Sue) Rolfes of Cedar Rapids, Kevin (fiancee Heather Smith) Rolfes of Redmond, Wash., and Geralyn (David) Lloyd of Burlington; daughter-in-law, Lynn Rolfes of Bettendorf; four grandchildren, Christina (Josh Wright) Rolfes of Cedar Rapids, Andrew Lloyd of Austin, Texas, Carmen (fiance Tyler DeHague) Lloyd of Minneapolis and Hannah Lloyd of Madison, Wis.; two stepgrandchildren, Melissa and Justin (Megan) Welch; sister-in-law, Lillian Rolfes of Calmar; and several nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Cecilia; son, Jay Rolfes; and six siblings.
Elmer was born July 31, 1928, in Reilly Ridge, Iowa, to Michael H. and Frances (Sabelka) Rolfes. He attended country school, worked as a farmhand for a number of years, and then served in the U.S. Navy beginning in 1950 for a four-year term. Elmer married Cecilia Stika on May 18, 1953, in Protivin at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
He was employed by Rockwell Collins and worked as a tool and die maker, retiring in 1989.
Elmer was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and a 20-year member of the Honor Guard for the Pilgrim Virgin Statue.
Elmer made rosaries and was a craftsman and woodworker. He enjoyed board games and his favorite was Upwords. He also enjoyed playing cards, doing crosswords and writing poetry.
Elmer's devotion was to Mary, the rosary and the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Camp Courageous, 12007 190th St., Monticello, IA 52310, in Elmer's memory.
Please share a memory of Elmer at www.murdoch
funeralhome.com under obituaries.
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