Martin Roller, 74, Dickinson, died Saturday, May 28, 2011 at the St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson. Martin’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Dickinson with Fr. Jim Braaten as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, with a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., with Deacon Tony Wanner presiding.
Alfred Martin Roller was born October 19, 1936 to Frank J. and Emma (Hanel) Roller, on the family farm seven miles southeast of Dunn Center. He and his family moved to Spokane, Wash., shortly after and lived there for five years. They returned to Dickinson and farmed east of town in Lehigh. Martin also ranched and broke horses.
Martin married Evelyn Krauter in 1958 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, and they had one son, Dale. They divorced in 1980 and he moved into Dickinson shortly after. Martin worked various jobs, drove truck for Badinger, milk truck for Dickinson Cheese, Hawkeye Satellite, and sold farm machinery. He loved old time music, especially polkas, played the accordion in the Lehigh Valley Band, and he loved animals, especially birds and pigeons. Martin was a jack-of-all trades, enjoyed guns and shooting, and found joy in tinkering and fixing things. He had a deep Catholic faith and the rosary was his favorite prayer.
He cherished time spent with his family and friends, watching his grandchildren grow, and his special friend, Irene Gawryluk. Martin is survived by his son, Dale (Pam) Roller, Dickinson; two grandsons, Alex (Traci) Roller and Steve (Kristy) Roller; and four great-grandchildren, Audrey, Reese, Seth and Jasmine. He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, Anton, Albert and Bob Roller.
