In Memory of Roland "Rollie" G. Simpson

     Roland “Rollie” G. Simpson, 97, died on April 11, 2017 at Twilight Acres Nursing Home in Wall Lake, IA.  A visitation will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Lakes United Methodist Church in Lake View, IA.  A memorial service will also be held at the church immediately following the visitation, beginning at 3 p.m.  Rollie donated his body to the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences maybe left at wwww.christensenvanhouten.com

     Rollie was born September 24, 1919, in Greenfield, IA, the son of Benjamin and Leoti (Etchison) Simpson.  He spent most of his life in Des Moines, where he graduated from East High School in 1937.  Rollie served in the Army Air Corp from August, 1942 - February, 1946.  He and Sybil Elleen Burt were married on June 1, 1946, at Wesley Methodist Church in Des Moines, IA. He graduated from Iowa State College in 1948, and worked as a photographer his entire career. 

     Rollie and Sybil lived in Des Moines until 1989. He operated Simpson Photo Service in Des Moines for many years and worked the 10 years prior to retirement in the ID Department of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.  While in Des Moines, they were members of Wesley United Methodist Church.

     Upon retirement, Rollie and Sybil moved to Lake View, IA and transferred their church memberships to Lakes United Methodist Church. They enjoyed “small town Iowa” and living along Black Hawk Lake. Rollie spent a lot of time with his perpetual garage sale. Due to a decline in his health, he joined Sybil in living at Twilight Acres Nursing Home in January, 2012. 

     Rollie was preceded in death by his wife Sybil (November 26, 2012), his parents, his brothers Stanley and Lyle (and their wives, Velma and Helen, respectively), an infant sister Pauline, a granddaughter Wendy Hundling, and a brother-in-law, Robert Burt.

     He is survived by children, Shelley (David) Hundling of Breda, IA; Brad (Angela) Simpson of Ely, NV and Roberta (Eric) Dolbeare of Nebo, IL.  He is also survived by grandchildren Shannon (Jim) Emlaw of Avoca, PA; Gretchen Hundling of Simi Valley, CA; Brice (Melanie) Hundling of Breda, IA; Jenna (Drew) Simonsen of New Canton, IL and Cliff (Emily) Dolbeare of Heyworth, IL;  great-grandchildren Shelbi Emlaw, Gabrielle, Wilhelm and Henrik Hundling, Lily and Ella Dolbeare and Eric Simonsen; sister-in-law, Jody Burt of South Bend, IN and several nieces and nephews.