Gary Lee Charles Roloff was born Aug. 28, 1935, in Lewisville, Minn., to Arthur and Frieda (Jaeger) Roloff. He married Gwendolyn Ann Van Brunt on Oct. 16, 1954, at Community Baptist Church in Truman. Their union was blessed with four 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, Ariz. 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, Ariz.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Gary Lee was 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.

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