Richard Rollins

Richard Rollins, age 85, of Motley passed away at the Lakewood Care Center in Staples on Friday, June 20. A Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, June 24 at 11:00 am at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Motley with Fr. Peter Kirchner officiating. The Wake will be Monday evening from 4-7 at the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples with a Rosary at 6:30 and Parish Prayers at 6:45. Burial will be at the Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Staples. Richard was born in Staples on July 18, 1922, to Clarence and Bessie (Miller) Rollins. He grew up here and attended the Catholic and Lincoln schools. At the age of 16 he entered the Civilian Conservation Corps. He later went to work at the Crosby Mines. In 1942 he was united in marriage to Lillian Swecker. He served his country as a member of the US Navy during WWII. After the war he returned to the mines until he was hired by Burlington Northern Rail Road as a Heavy Equipment Operator. He worked for the Railroad for 33 years until his retirement in 1982. Richard was a member of the Motley American Legion, St. Michaels Catholic Church and loved to fish and hunt. Richard is survived by his wife, Lillian; children, Patricia Stokely, Nadine Bittner, Yvonne (Ralph) Jay, Richard (Susan) Rollins Jr., James (Virginia) Rollins, Joyce Rollins, and Bessie (Michael) Mueller; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 1 great, great-grandchild; 4 brothers; 2 sisters; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers.