Benjamin H. Rolf, 71

Benjamin H. “Ben” Rolf, 71, Red Oak, died unexpectedly Monday, May 20, 2013, at the Creighton Medical Center in Omaha.

Benjamin Harold “Ben” Rolf was born Feb. 17, 1942, in Belgrade, Neb., the son of Harold and Alice (Rieken) Rolf. The family moved to the southwest Iowa area when Ben was young and he graduated from Wales Lincoln High School in 1960. Ben attended Iowa Western Community College in Clarinda and Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo. He came home to start a long career in farming as well as serving in the Iowa National Guard.

Ben married Mary Barnett Aug. 24, 1969, in Red Oak. They lived all of their married life north of Red Oak and in the same home for the past 41 years. Ben was a longtime member of the Stratton United Methodist Church, the Montgomery County Fair Board serving a term as President, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks where he served as Trustee. He was an inductee in the Fair Board Hall of Fame and was known for his fish fry at the Elks Lodge. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, going on trips to Minnesota, but most of all enjoyed spending time with his family, especially the grandkids.  

Preceding him in death was his father, Harold Rolf; sister, Nina Good; infant brother, Robert; and infant sister, Sandra.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Rolf of Red Oak; three children, Stacy Watts and husband Bill of Bettendorf, Leslie Carbaugh and husband David of Omaha and Brenda Meads and husband Jamie of Red Oak; six grandchildren, Kiernan Scott and husband Lucas of Omaha, Ben and Aidan Watts of Bettendorf, Emily and Elizabeth Carbaugh of Omaha and Addison Meads of Red Oak; mother, Alice Rolf of Red Oak; a sister, Pat Jones and husband Bob of Gilbert, Ariz.; brothers-in-law, Dennis Good of Elliott, Bud Barnett and wife Lois of Red Oak, Gary Barnett and wife Rose Marie of Cedar Hill, Mo., and Larry Barnett and wife Marty of Red Oak; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 24 at the Gold Fair Building Auditorium on the Montgomery County Fair Grounds. Cremation will take place after the services and burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the Red Oak Rescue unit, the Stratton United Methodist Church, the Montgomery County Ag Society Building Fund, or the Elks National Foundation.  

Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.