Walter Justin Roehlke

Walter Justin Roehlke, age 82, of Fridley, Minnesota, died suddenly on September 6, 2015, from a massive heart attack in Glens Falls, New York. He was born on February 27, 1933, at home, in Corcoran Township, Minnesota. He was the son of Walter Stephen and Josephine Ida (Hein) Roehlke, and he was the ninth of 13 children. He grew up in Burschville, Minnesota, and was baptized and confirmed at Greenwood Methodist Church in Burschville. He graduated from Buffalo High School in 1951. He attended the Minneapolis School of Business and Dunwoody College of Technology. Walter was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953 and fought in the Korean War. He drove a tank for the 937th Field Artillery Battalion. He became a corporal and received four medals by the time of his discharge in 1955. He married the love of his life, Dorothy Louise Miller, on June 1, 1957, at Vasa Lutheran Church, Vasa, Minnesota. They lived in Columbia Heights for eight years before moving to Fridley, Minnesota. Walter worked in sales for General Electric, Sterling Electric, and Border States Electric. He was a member of the Minnesota Electrical Association and the Fridley American Legion. He retired in 1998. Walter loved to garden, grow flowers, drive his red convertible in the Fridley 49ers parade, fish, volunteer in the community, and spend time outside. He treasured being with people, especially his extended family, and he filled each room he entered with his presence and laughter. He is survived by his wife of 58 years: Dorothy; daughters Jolene (Gene) Roehlkepartain and Nancy (Matt) Simoneau; grandsons Micah and Eli Roehlkepartain; Dorothy’s sister BettyAnn (Allen) Hernke; godchildren Karen Noreen, Ron Haggstrom, Mark Roehlke, and Peter Hernke; and many nieces, nephews, neighbors, cousins, and friends. Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Walter S. and Josephine Roehlke; his brother Gustave and wife Elaine Roehlke, sister Glorena and husband Thurman Rogers, brother Wesley and wife Eileen Roehlke, sister Florence and husband Marvin Bjorklund, sister Ida and husband Raymond Braun, sister Myrtle and husband William Reichert, sister Mildred, brother Alexander and wife Ruth Roehlke and wife Agnes Rupp, sister Marvella and husband Carl Haggstrom, sister Erla and husband Duane Johnson, sister Emma, and sister Ethel; seven nieces and nephews; and two cousins. Memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 19, 2015, with visitation starting at 9:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, 1555 40th Ave. N.E., Columbia Heights, MN 55421. Lunch and burial will follow the service. Interment at Hillside Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. Memorials to First Lutheran Church where Walter and Dorothy have been members since 1957 or to donor’s choice.

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Walter Justin Roehlke

September 6, 2015

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