LeRoy Rohlfs, age 84, of Sheldon and formerly of Boyden, passed away on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Sheldon. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, June 3, at United Presbyterian Church in Boyden with Rev. Andrew Hilla officiating, with burial at Sheridan Township Cemetery in Boyden.
Visitation with family present will be from 5 – 7 P.M. on Thursday, June 2, at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Boyden.
The Vander Ploeg Funeral Home of Boyden is in charge of the arrangements for 84-year-old LeRoy Rohlfs of Sheldon, formerly of Boyden.
LeRoy Allen Rohlfs was born on May 25, 1938 to Herman and Florence Rohlfs. He passed away on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Sheldon, IA. LeRoy grew up on the family farm south of Boyden with his brother Ray. He graduated from Boyden High School in 1955.
LeRoy married his high school sweetheart, Nelva Moret, on Nov. 26, 1958. They made their home and raised their four children, Darrell, Bradley, Stacie and Chad, in Boyden. LeRoy and Nelva celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2018, just a few months prior to her passing in March 2019. LeRoy was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. A long, hard day at work was common for him as he farmed 80 acres, raised feeder cattle, and worked at Smit & Son to provide for his family. He was so proud of his children and grandchildren. He faithfully attended hundreds of ballgames, plays, musicals, and concerts over the years to encourage those he loved. LeRoy was a longtime member of the United Presbyterian Church and the Otter Valley Country Club.
LeRoy loved to play and watch sports. While in school, he played baseball and basketball; as a young adult he joined the town softball team; and later he participated in golf and bowling leagues. He found great joy in watching or listening to the games of the Boyden-Hull Comets, Iowa Hawkeyes, LA Dodgers, and Minnesota Vikings. Fishing was a favorite pastime for LeRoy and Nelva and their family. Many memories were made on fishing trips to northern Minnesota and Lake Okoboji. When he wasn’t playing or watching sports, you could find LeRoy tending his large and bountiful garden, drinking coffee with friends, or enjoying a card game.
LeRoy was a kind, good-natured, and honest man who was loved and respected by many. He took everything in stride and maintained a positive attitude no matter what circumstances life brought his way. His family is thankful for that legacy and inspired to follow his example.
LeRoy is survived by his children: Darrell (Heather) of Spirit Lake, IA and Jupiter, FL; Bradley (Nancy) of Boyden; Stacie (Glenn) Tomkins of Windsor, WI; and Chad (Melissa) of Glendale, AZ; 8 grandchildren: Alex Rohlfs (Deryck) Hoogendoorn; Zach and Noah Rohlfs; Deven, Carter and Kolby Tomkins; Lauren and Landon Rohlfs; and 2 great-grandchildren: Alayla Jaylee and Coralline Hoogendoorn.
He is also survived by 1 brother Ray Rohlfs of Sheldon and 8 sisters-in-law: Lavonne (Rod) Grooters of Rock Rapids, Linda Heiliger of Sheldon, Cheryl Bennett of Sioux Falls, Carol Moret of George, Marcia (Phil) Sietstra of Sioux Falls, Wineva Moret of Mankato, MN, Max Moret of Sheldon, and Doris Moret of Wilmington, IL. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces. LeRoy’s family will miss him dearly.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Herman and Florence Rohlfs; 6 brothers-in-law: LeRoy (Bud) Moret, Marvin Moret, Harvey Moret, and Ronald (Butch) Moret, Bill Heiliger, and Ken Bennett; 2 sisters-in-law: Verna Moret and Shirley Rohlfs; and several nephews and nieces.
The family is grateful for the excellent care provided for LeRoy by the care-givers at Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Sheldon.
