Harold W. Roloff

Harold Roloff, age 81, passed away early on Saturday, December 13, 2008 at his home, with his loving wife at his side. Harold was born in Clintonville on July 13, 1927, son of the late Walter and Florence (Peterson) Roloff. In 1933, the family moved to Kaukauna where Harold graduated from high school in 1945. Over the years, Harold also took many busi ness and financial classes at Marquette University in Milwaukee and Lawrence University in Appleton. On June 3, 1950, he married the former Marion “Mernie” Melchior at St. Mary's Church in Kaukauna.

Harold was the retired Chairman of the Board of Roloff Manufacturing Corporation in Kaukauna. The company was founded by Harold's father, Walter Roloff in 1944, and Harold began working there at that time after school and during the summer. He learned all the phases of the foundry operations and various managerial positions. In 1969 he became President and General Manager and was elected Board Chairman in January of 1993.

Harold was involved with many different organizations over the years. He was a life member of The American Foundrymen's Association, The National Foundry Assocation, The Wisconsin Cast Metals Association, National Association of Purchasing Managers, Fox Valley Traffic Club, Metal Trades Association, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Harold was also a former member of the board of directors at the Kaukauna (Unison) Credit Union, the Kaukauna Elks Club, Kaukauna Rotary Club where he received the Paul Harris Fellowship award, Kaukauna Lions Club, Fox Valley Golf Club, charter member of the Kaukauna Jaycees, and the American Legion Post #41.

Harold was an avid sportsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, and bowling. His friends will also attest to his being a “modern sheephead” player. He always looked forward to time spent at the lake house on Shawano Lake.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Mernie Roloff of Kaukauna; two children: Nancie Keenan of Groton, Connecticut and David (Pam) Roloff of Kaukauna; two granddaughters: Elizabeth (Corey) Van Zeeland of Appleton and Katherine Roloff of Cambridge, Massachusetts and her fiancé Dominic Rinaldi. There are also two great-granddaughters who were very special to Harold – Madelyn and Isabella Van Zeeland. Two brothers also survive: Robert (Roberta) Roloff of Green Bay and Kenneth (Barbara) Roloff of Kaukauna; a sister: Carol (Douglas) Hansen of Bonita Bay, Florida; a sister-in-law: Shirley Leonard of Milwaukee and two brothers-in-law: David Andrews of Kaukauna and Harold Wenzel of Wausau. Harold also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife's parents Peter G. and Helen Melchior, sisters-i n-law Dolores Andrews and Bunny Wenzel, a brother-in-law James Leonard, and by Nancie's special friend George Converse.

Funeral services for Harold will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at PEACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 2300 Wisconsin Avenue in Kaukauna with Rev. Tim Albrecht officiating. Entombment will be in Highland Memorial Park in Appleton. Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers the family has established a memorial fund in Harold's name.

Fargo Funeral Home
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Kaukauna, WI 54130
920 766-6200