John F. Rolwes, 1918-2011

ROLWES, BRIMEYER, CLEMEN, MATZ, CLEMENS

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 2/26/2015 at 21:55:47

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Wednesday, April 13, 2011

FARLEY, Iowa - John F. Rolwes, 92, of Farley, died at 1:09 a.m. Monday, April 11, 2011, at Stonehill Care Center, Dubuque.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 14, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Farley, with the Rev. Raymond Burkle and the Rev. Dennis Cain officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Farley. Friends and relatives may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Reiff Funeral Home, Farley, where there will be a wake service at 4 p.m., and a Knights of Columbus rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Friends also may also call after 9 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

He was born on April 21, 1918, in Balltown, son of John J. and Rosina (Brimeyer) Rolwes. John received his education in the Balltown area schools.

He married Lucinda Irene Clemen on Sept. 27, 1938, at the Holy Cross Catholic Church; she preceded him in death on Nov. 19, 1985. He later married Helen Matz on Jan. 9, 1987, at Holy Trinity in Dubuque.

John farmed in the Farley area from 1938 until 1987, when he semi-retired and moved to Dubuque. He continued to return to the farm to feed cattle, which he loved to do.

He was a member of St. Joseph's Parish in Farley, a member of its Altar and Rosary Society and a former member of Holy Trinity Parish in Dubuque. He was the founding 4-H leader of the Farley Future Farmers and continued to serve as the leader for several years. He was a member of the Dubuque County Cattlemen's Hall of Fame, a member of the Dubuque County Pork Producers and a 25-year member of the Dubuque County Fair Board, for which he served as past president. He was a trustee for Dodge Township in Dubuque County, a member of the Dubuque County Soil Conservation Society and a 50-year member of the Farley Knights of Columbus-Council 2001.

John loved to ballroom dance. He and Lucinda taught dancing for many years. He was an avid horseshoe pitcher and participated in many tournaments, for which he won several awards.

Surviving are his wife, Helen Rolwes, of Stonehill Care Center, Dubuque; four sons, John P. (Carol) Rolwes, Gerald P. (Diane) Rolwes and Dale V. (Charlene) Rolwes, all of Farley, and Dr. Jeff Rolwes, of Platteville, Wis.; nine grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

He also was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Vince Rolwes; and a sister, Marcella Clemens.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com.

The family of John would like to thank the entire staff of Stonehill Care Center and Shady Rest Care Center for all the kindness and care given to John.