ROLPH, Jack Alan 1947-2016

ROLPH, ROYAL, KNOWLTON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/13/2016 at 11:57:13

Jack Alan Rolph

Birth: November 28, 1947
Death: April 12, 2016

Jack Alan Rolph, 68, of Charles City, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City following a battle with leukemia.

A memorial service for Jack Rolph will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. Pastor Jim Beranek from Trinity United Methodist Church in Charles City will officiate. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Friday, April 15, 2016 at Hauser Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and will continue one hour prior to the memorial service on Friday at the funeral home.

Jack was born November 28, 1947, in Charles City to Arnold and Esther (Royal) Rolph. He graduated in 1966 from Charles City High School and attended the University of Northern Iowa.

He married Michele Ann Knowlton on July 15, 1978 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. They lived in the Cedar Falls area for many years before recently returning to Charles City. Jack worked in sales and also ran his own snack food distribution business.

At his most comfortable when he was outdoors, Jack was an avid outdoorsman and conservationist who enjoyed fishing, pheasant hunting with his golden retriever, Rowdy, and hunting for morel mushrooms and asparagus. He spent hours in his large backyard garden, always sharing vegetables and canned goods with friends and neighbors. Jack was also a life-long history buff and gifted storyteller.

Always generous with his time and talent - an extension of his family motto, "Do what's right because it's right" - Jack enjoyed helping others, especially when it gave him a chance to work with power tools. He enjoyed cheering on the Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball teams, and playing sports.

His favorite way to spend time was with his grandchildren, whether it was taking them fishing, golfing in the yard, or making pancakes with them.

Despite a difficult battle with cancer, Jack kept his sense of humor until the end, and shared many stories with his friends and family in his last days.

He is survived by his wife, Michele; mother, Esther, both of Charles City; his daughter and son-in-law, Jessie and Mike Brown of Altoona; granddaughter Logan Brown and grandson Ethan Brown of Altoona; aunt Tootie (Clarence) Holt, uncle Skip (Myrna) Ward and aunt Florene Johnson, all of Charles City; aunt Emma Hobert of Phoenix, Ariz.; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.

Jack was preceded in death by his grandparents; his father, Arnold; his brothers, David and Dennis; and by many other aunts, uncles and special family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Source: Hauser Funeral Home website