Rollinger, David L. 1941-2021

ROLLINGER, REYNOLDS, MOHNING

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/4/2022 at 19:12:02

Obituary

David L. Rollinger, 80, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, December 30, 2021, at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars. A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 3, 2022, at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Rev. Christian Meier of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars with military honors conducted by Wasmer Post #241 of the American Legion and the Northwest Iowa American Legion Riders. Visitation with the family present will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home on Monday.

David Lee Rollinger was born on May 26, 1941, in LeMars, Iowa, he was the son of Don and Gwen (Reynolds) Rollinger. While in High school he competed in Track and his favorite sport was football. He graduated from Le Mars High School in 1960. After High School he enlisted in the United States Navy on March 26, 1964. He was stationed on USS Bauer, where he was on a six-month cruise with the Seventh Fleet in the Western Pacific. He visited The Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Okinawa. While in the Navy he was a Hospitalman and a Field Medical Service Technician.

Upon earning an Honorable Discharge from the Navy on March 18, 1968, he became a USDA Government Meat Inspector. This was his lifetime career and he worked in several states including Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Washington State.

David met Rosanne Mohning and they were united in marriage on July 11, 1970. They were married for many years before the union ended. From this marriage two children were born, Jennifer and Jeffrey. The family lived in LeMars, Waverly and Storm Lake before settling in Luverne, Minnesota.

In his life, David was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a hockey coach in Luverne where he was active in helping the program eventually build an indoor ice arena. He enjoyed sharing this time with his son, Jeff. David loved to dance and was part of the Kikkers Country Friends in Sioux Falls. There he met his dance partner Rita. They were engaged for many years and have remained lifelong friends. David also loved to ride his Harley and took great pride in being part of the American Legion Riders and has rode in many events with them. He loved the fact that riding Harley’s gave him the chance to spend time with his son-in-law, Travis. His love for motorcycles let him start a small business called HOG’EZ where he sold motorcycle stabilizers. From that business and the logo, his granddaughters affectionately named him PAPA Piggy.

David was baptized in the Baptist faith. After his retirement, David took care of his father Don. He enjoyed his grandchildren and loved that his granddaughter, Allison was a “lefty” like him and was extremely proud that his granddaughter, Gabrielle had just graduated from college on December 17, 2021. David was a talented artist who had submitted artwork to Disney before entering the Navy. He was also a math whiz and could figure out any problem in his head before anyone could do it on paper or a calculator.

David is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Welch and her husband, Travis of Vesta, MN; son, Jeffrey Rollinger of LeMars, IA; brother, Tim (Beth) Rollinger of Brunsville, IA; grandchildren, Allison Welch of Sioux Falls, SD, Gabrielle Welch of Fargo, ND and Samuel Welch of Vesta, MN; numerous nieces and nephews. David also leaves behind his faithful companion, his dog Maggie, whom he shared many popsicles and Dr. Peppers.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Don and Gwen Rollinger; and brothers, Charles and Michael.