Gerhard F. Rolloff

” Be thou faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life”. Rev. 2:10. Gerhard F. Rolloff, 93, joined his heavenly Father from home following a brief illness. He was born March 15, 1916 in the town of Freedom to Emil and Rose (Plamann) Rolloff and became a child of God through baptism on April 9, 1916. Gerry graduated from Winnebago Lutheran Academy in 1934 and Dr. Martin Luther College in 1937. His first divine call was to teach grades 1-8 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota . Gerry was then called to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI in 1938 where he again taught grades 1-8 and served as choir director and organist. He married Eleanor Fuhremann on Easter Sunday April 13, 1941 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. During World War II Gerry served as Vice President at Fuhremann Canning Co. Following the war Gerry owned Rolloff Music Company. In 1963 he returned to the teaching ministry serving as Vice Principal at Fox Valley Lutheran High School, conducting band and choir and teaching German and bookkeeping. After retiring from Fox Valley, Gerry joined his son-in- law, Jerry Schuette, to serve as treasurer of GWS Supply.
Gerry was a devoted member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church for over 70 years, serving as organist for over 30 years. Gerry was an avid golfer and bowler, and a loyal fan of the Packers, Brewers, Cubs, and Badgers. Above all, he most loved spending time with his family, reminiscing and sharing stories, while creating memories for a lifetime.
Gerry and Eleanor were blessed with five children, James (Gail) Rolloff, Smyrna, Ga.; Sally (Gerald) Schuette, Shawano, WI; Cheryl (Robert) Schroer, Saginaw, Mi; Mary Rolloff, Appleton, WI, and Mark (Susan) Rolloff, Austin, Tx. Gerry is also survived by eight grandchildren, Scott (Stacy) Schuette, Wendy (Steve) Vesper, Stacie (Steve) Scheibe, Krista (Paul) Kuber, Jennifer (Drew) Retzlaff, Daniel (Kim) Schroer, Christine (Joel) Trettin, and Amy (Anthony) Natalie, Jr. He is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren as well as sisters Gertrude Vetter, Lorraine LaRonge, and Elda Kopitzke. Gerry is preceded in death by his wife Eleanor, brother Earl, brothers-in-law Wilbur Vetter and Philip Kopitzke, and great-grandson Jett Retzlaff.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to St. Matthew Lutheran Church or Fox Valley Lutheran High School.
Funeral services for Gerry will be held on Monday, June 29, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 129 S. Mason St., Appleton with Rev. Tom Mielke officiating. Family and friends may visit at the church on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will take place in Highland Memorial Park, Appleton.

The family thanks Dr. Dernlan of Primary Care Physicians and the ThedaCare Hospice Program for their care and compassion.