Roland W. Kohlmeyer

On July 2nd, 2017, our family and the community lost an extraordinary man, Roland Kohlmeyer, at the age of 80. Roland was born to Dora and Charles Kohlmeyer on his family’s farm near Fountain, Minnesota. His formative education was spent in a one room country schoolhouse. As a boy, Roland fostered a lifelong love of reading and was active in 4H. After graduating from Wykoff High School, he served 4 years in the United States Navy (two of those abroad in Japan). After his military service, he ultimately returned to his family farmstead and embarked on a long and successful career as a corn farmer and Pioneer salesman. 

Roland married Erika Schieffelbein in July 1961. Together they grew the farm business. Their hard work was well balanced with travel and good times amongst friends and neighbors. Erika and Roland had four wonderful children. He was thrilled to become a grandfather with the birth of Mikaela- he could not have been more proud of her. His family expanded further when, in March of 1998, he married Rita Neis. Roland gained four stepchildren and a lovely second grandchild with that union. Roland and Rita enjoyed years of love, laughter, travel and adventures. In the last years of his life, Rita was his steadfast companion as he battled dementia. Nothing brought him more comfort than her strength and presence.

Roland was a man of sharp intellect and great humor suffused with delightfully dry wittiness. He was a man of many talents and broad interests: he was a Cessna pilot, runner, cross country skier, traveler, and avid Bluegrass fan. He loved music in many forms, and danced a mean two-step and polka. One of his most beloved hobbies was restoring and showing antique tractors. Over the years, Roland served his community as a founding member of the Wykoff Historical Society, board member of Good Earth Village and member of the Wykoff Immanuel Lutheran Church council. He also was an active member of Wykoff Lion’s Club and Flying Farmers of America. Roland hosted two foreign exchange students, Mikkel Segal (Denmark) and Emil Sallvik (Sweden), both of whom he viewed as his part of his extended family.

We already miss Roland dearly. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, sibling, friend and neighbor. We have all learned so much from this amazing man during his life. We will carry him with us in our hearts for the rest of our days, and strive to pass his wisdom on to those we love. In this way, he still lives on.

Roland is survived by his wife Rita Kohlmeyer; children Kevin (Jackie), Lyndon, Heidi and Kristal Kohlmeyer (Samantha Pullen) and their mother Erika Kohlmeyer; grandchildren Mikaela Kohlmeyer and Kyndra Neis; stepchildren Ron, Rick (Kristie), Randy (Mandy) and Russ (Molly) Neis; siblings Almeda Eickhoff and Carl Kohlmeyer. He is also survived by former stepson Christopher Stoltz. Roland is preceded in death by Velma Jeske (sister), Jack Jeske (bother-in-law), and Emery Eickhoff (brother-in-law).

The family requests that any monetary tributes be directed to the Veterans Memorial in Wykoff, Good Earth Village, Wykoff Immanuel Lutheran Church, or the charity of your choosing. 

Visitation will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wykoff on Thursday, July 6, from 4 – 7pm.  Funeral services will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wykoff on Friday, July 7th, at 11am with visitation proceeding at 10 am.  The family invites all to join in a luncheon to celebrate Roland’s life following the funeral. Luncheon will be held at the Wykoff Community Center. 

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