Rohlfsen, Lieut. Russell K. 1919-1945

ROHLFSEN, FULLER, KILKER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/18/2010 at 19:43:20

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
March 16, 1945

LIEUT. RUSSELL ROHLFSEN KILLED IN SOUTH PACIFIC
Was Pilot Of Hospital Plane At Morotai

A telegram from the War Department was received this morning by Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Meyer brining the sad news that their son, First Lieutenant Russell K. Rohlfsen, was killed in a plane crash on March 7 on Morotai Island.

Lieutenant Rohlfsen was born on a farm north of Marcus on January 30, 1919. He received his early education there but after the death of his father, the late George H. Rohlfsen, in 11929, he moved to LeMars with his mother, brothers, and sisters. He graduated from LeMars high school in 1936.

In 1942, Lt. Rohlfsen and his brother, Stanley, engaged in farming, but in July of that year he was inducted in the Army. He received his commission at Victoria, Texas, on October 3, 1943. He was then sent to Enid, Oklahoma, as an instructor and it was there on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1944, that he was married to Miss Vivian Fuller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fuller. On June 9 he left for overseas duty and was sent to the South Pacific. He was a pilot on a transport plane taking supplies and patients to various places.

He is survived by his wife, Vivian; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Meyer; two brothers, Herbert and Stanley, both of LeMars; three sisters, Ruth (Mrs. Glenn Gearke), Shirley and Betty, of LeMars; and also his grandfathers, Hans Rohlfsen of Sibley and August Kilker of LeMars.
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LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
March 23, 1945

MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR LT. ROHLFSEN
To Be Held Here Sunday, March 25

Memorial services will be held Sunday afternoon, March 25, at 2:30 o’clock at St. John’s American Lutheran Church in LeMars for Lt. Russell K. Rohlfsen, who was killed in a plane crash on March 7 on Morotai Island.

Lt. Rohlfsen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Meyer, residing at 221 First Avenue NW, entered the service on July 23, 1942. He took his basic training at Camp Robinson, Little Rock, Arkansas, and received his commission at Victoria, Texas. He was then sent to Enid, Oklahoma, and on June 9, 1944, left for overseas duty. Lt. Rohlfsen was a pilot on a transport plane taking supplies and patients to various places.

Rev. L. L. Belk will officiate at the services while will be directed by the local American Legion post.