Rohlf, Clarke Amos 'Zeke'

Clarke Amos “Zeke” Rohlf, 97, of Cedar Rapids, died unexpectedly Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011, at West Ridge Care Center. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at Asbury Retirement House, 378 27th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids. Pastor Carol Mart will be performing the service, with a luncheon to follow. He will be inurned at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include two nephews, Mike (Fran) Point of Stoughton, Wis., and Tom (Carol) Point of Huntington Beach, Calif.; a cousin, Maye Swanson of Spirit Lake, Iowa; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and “adopted granddaughter,” Jennifer Lane.

Clarke was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Arden; and sister, Eloise.

Clarke was born Feb. 1, 1913, in Le Mars, Iowa, the son of Charles and Almina (Rainville) Rohlf. He grew up working in his family-owned hardware store until the crash of 1929. He later served in the Army in World War II as a member of the 147th Infantry, where he fought in many battles throughout the Pacific Theater. After being discharged, he worked many jobs, including a peach cannery, and later as a roofer and sider.

Zeke loved to draw and sketch and longed to go to art school. He was an avid reader of mysteries and the Civil War, particularly of author Janet Evonovich. He loved life on the Cedar River, where he would fish for hours on end. He loved telling jokes and stories and never left a room without making it roar with laughter. He was also a member of American Legion Hanford Post 5.

Special thanks to Hospice of Mercy and the staff at West Ridge Care Center.