Gary Lee Charles Roloff

Gary Lee Roloff, age 85, of Truman, passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at his home.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the family chose to wait for the committal service.

As Gary would say, "It's time, Let's do this!"

There will be a gathering and short graveside service at Westford Cemetery, Truman on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 1:15 PM.

Zaharia Family Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. www.ZahariaFamilyFuneral.com

Donations may be directed to Westford Cemetery association, PO Box 311, Truman, MN 56088.

Gary Lee Roloff, age 85, of Truman, passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at his home. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic guidelines, there will be a private family service on Saturday, November 21, at 10 AM at Zaharia Family Funeral Home in Truman with Penny Ritter officiating, with burial at a later date in Westford Cemetery, Truman. Zaharia Family Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. www.ZahariaFamilyFuneral.com

Gary Lee Charles Roloff was born on August 28, 1935 in Lewisville, to Arthur and Frieda (Jaeger) Roloff. He married Gwendolyn Ann Van Brunt on October 16, 1954 in the Community Baptist Church in Truman. Their union was blessed with 4 children. Gary Lee grew up in Lewisville/Truman and moved to the farm near Elm Creek area in 1960 and started farming.  Gary and Gwen moved into Truman to their current home in 1981 which he built. .  He and Gwen owned and operated the Chat and Chew for many years and it became a social place to meet friends. They started operating a ceramics shop until 2000 after selling the cafe.  Gary always enjoyed fishing, hunting, more fishing, going to the Northrop Bar BS-ing and pulling the boxes. Gwen and Gary enjoyed traveling to Mesa Arizona for the winters, and he continued to go to AZ but for longer trips after Gwen passed in 2003.  It was then that he and his mother-in-law, Sadie, took some wonderful trips together. He was a member of the Community Baptist Church in Truman, and after the building closed, he never really found another place like it. 

Gary's legacy of having integrity and a strong work ethic carried throughout his whole life.  He was a man of a few words but his attitude of brutal honesty got his point across clearly. Gary enjoyed driving to check out the crops in the area, even after retiring from farming. Gary had a handful of health issues later in his life and the past 18 months were definitely a struggle.   He often said, "I've lived a good life" and understood where he was going after life on earth.    

Gary Lee is survived by his children, Randall Roloff (significant other, Marlyn Luitjens) of Adrian, Lanette Roloff (Steven Mammenga) of Truman and Lonnie Lee (Tina) Roloff of Goodview; 10 grandchildren, Melissa (Dave) Etter, Preston (Laura) Roloff, Emily Roloff (Amber Pitcher), Alyse Roloff, Kristefor Lee Roloff, David Lee Kotewa, Benjamin Kotewa, Ashlee (Evan) Oberdieck, Alexandria Roloff and Lucas Roloff; 16 great-grandchildren, Anthony, Josh, Keyan, Aryanna, Henry, Alex, Gage, Lakyn, Madison, Hayden, Kegan, Keura, Alexis, Kenzlee, Everson and Asher; sisters, Elaine Frank of Blaine and Phyllis Schwanke of Glencoe; sister -in-law, Grace Van Brunt of Apache Junction, AZ; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Gary Lee is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Freida Roloff; wife, Gwendolyn Roloff; son, Scott Roloff; brothers, Eugene and Richard Roloff; son-in-law, Bernard Kotewa; daughter-in-law, Regan Roloff; parents-in-law, Willard and Sadie Van Brunt and brother-in-law, Darwin Van Brunt.  

Donations may be directed to Westford Cemetery association, PO Box 311, Truman, MN 56088.

To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Gary Lee Charles Roloff, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.