Frederick T. Rohlfs (1913-1944)

ROHLFS

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 12/7/2008 at 20:45:40

Rev. Frederick Rohlfs

Funeral services were held at 1 o’clock Monday afternoon at the Presbyterian Church in Afton and at 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon at the Presbyterian church in Avoca for Rev. Frederick Rohlfs, pastor of the Presbyterian church in Afton, who was killed in an auto crash near Lorimor, Iowa last Saturday.

Reverend John Neuenschwander, Dr. Kaiser of Creston and Reverend Ross of Bedford, Iowa officiated at the Afton services. The Rev. Ivan C. Bachtell presided at the services held in Avoca.

Frederick T. Rohlfs was born the son of Hans and Emeline Rohlfs on November 3, 1913 at Avoca, Iowa. He attended and was a graduate of the Avoca public schools. He obtained his liberal arts education at the University of Iowa City and received his theological training at the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. In 1929, he was converted to Christ under the teaching of Rev. Lintz and was called into the Christian ministry in 1935. He was ordained a Presbyterian minister on April 11, 1939, at the Presbyterian Church in Avoca. In April 1939, he was united in marriage to Thelma Lewis of Calvin, North Dakota. While enrolled in the McCormick Seminary he served as a summer-pastor in churches in North and South Dakota. His first charge after his ordination was at West Plain, Missouri, where he served four churches. In May 1944, he began his service as pastor of the Tipton, Iowa church.

On July 1, 1941, being an officer in the R.O.T.C, he entered the armed services with the rank of Captain. Because of a serious throat affliction he received a medical discharge from the army in March of 1943.

Rev. Rohlfs began servicing the Presbyterian Church at Afton on August 1, 1943 and continued his services there until the time of his death.

His father, Hans Rohlfs, preceded him in death ten years ago. He is survived by his immediate family, his wife, Thelma Rohlfs and two small sons, Frederick George and Edward Lewis; his mother, Mrs. Emeline Rohlfs of Avoca; a sister, Mrs. Helen Pfister of York, Nebraska, and a brother, Edward, of Avoca.

Out of town relatives and friends that attended the funeral were Mrs. Edward Rohlfs and Ted Rohlfs of Steward, Nebraska, Mrs. Clarence Eickhoff of Omaha, Mrs. John Hoffman and son of Omaha, Mrs. Ethel Paulsen, Mr. and Mrs. Jake White, Mrs. Jenny Stafford of Atlantic, Miss Fannie Rohlfs of St. Louis, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Jacobsen of Hancock, Harold Stuhr of Council Bluffs, Mr. and Mrs. August Schroeder, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stuhr and Mr. and Mrs.Carl Stuhr of Hancock; Rev. and Mrs. G. Bauman of Minden, Rev. and Mrs. Howard Lindquist of Atlantic, Jack Schroeder and son Robert of Minden; Sam Lewis and daughter, Una Mae of Calvin, North Dakota; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Pfister and daughter of York, Nebraska.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald