Roy Erdman Rollins

Roy E Rollins, age 95, passed away surrounded by loved ones on December 15, 2023. Roy was born June 5, 1928 in Ladysmith to Asa and Gertrude (Gilbertson) Rollins. The youngest of 12 children Roy was raised on a farm and was an uncle to many at birth. He vividly remembered the phrase he heard multiple times a day “water, milk, and butter boys”.  In school he was known for having beautiful penmanship and his athletic abilities in basketball and baseball.  He graduated from Holcombe High School in 1946. Shortly after graduation Roy enlisted in the Army during World War II and served for approximately 16 months. The Rollins Family was exceptionally blessed sending 5 young men to the service and all returned home.

Once home from the service Roy moved to Menasha and a beautiful young lady named Margaret Clark caught his eye. They married July 22, 1950 and had four children together, Rita, Rick, Randy and Rene. 

Being a farm boy, Roy had a genuine love of animals. He was also artful in reciting poems, verses and war songs he had learned in school and the service, telling stories, and his sweet tooth which was very evident in the final years. 

After his time in the military, he worked at Menasha Wooden Ware as well as a short time at Gilberts. During his lifetime he held various other jobs such as an upholsterer, school bus driver, insurance salesman, and successful car salesman.  Roy was also a Police Officer with the Menasha Police Department from 1951 to 1969. Roy was a hard-working man often holding multiple jobs to support his family.  He was very proud to have served his country and later his community as an officer. Once retired Roy loved to golf and was an avid reader of James Patterson books and the local newspaper. He spent his time in his man cave reading and watching sports or, when the weather was nice, outside doing yardwork or in later years on his swing watching the bunnies and birds in the yard. 

Roy was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Margaret Molly (Clark) Rollins on October 6, 2023; parents, Asa and Gertrude Rollins; son and daughter-in-law Randy and Darlene (Diener) Rollins; and all of his siblings and their spouses:  Violet (William) Currie; Agatha “Gaye” (Harry) Moore; Janet (Jack) Westberg; Olive “Ollie” (George) Moore; Clyde (Lorraine) Rollins; George “Red” Rollins; Ferne (Lyle) Moore; Dora (Walter) Maciejewski; Roger “Rollie” (Margaret “Marge”) Rollins; Garold (Charlotte “Chic”) Rollins; and Ruth (Otto) Burmeister.

Roy will be dearly missed by his family and is survived by: daughter Rita Rollins, son Rick (Kay) Rollins, and daughter Rene (Victor) Briones; grandchildren:  Wendy (Tommy Jordan) Watters, Angie (Ryan) Kane; Josh (Janice) Rollins, Justin (Crystal) Rollins, Jordan (Josh) Gilliam; Jeremy Rollins; Brandon (Lexi) Briones, Risa Briones, Kenzie Briones; and great grandchildren: Sam, Harper, Mason, Jameson, Paytenn, Jayce, Lyndi, Brynn, Griffin, Ruby, Kenan, Nora and Veda; and countless other nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

The lives of Roy and his wife Margaret (Clark) will be celebrated in a Memorial Service on January 13, 2024 at Wichmann Laemmrich Funeral Home, 312 Milwaukee St, Menasha, WI 54952.  The Service will begin at 11:00 AM with a visitation prior to the Service from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Roy and Margaret will rest in peace at St. Mary’s Cemetery.