Karl Roll said farewell to all his family and friends on January 14, 2020. He was born on March 16, 1930, in Brisbane, ND to Sebastian and Mary (Riehl) Roll. He was a middle child having an older brother, Joe; sister Theresa, a younger brother Philip, and sister Irene.
He grew up and went to school in Carson, ND graduating in 1951. His childhood years were much like the other children growing up in that era. He played football and basketball for Carson, but his one “Great” moment of a sure point in basketball was blocked by his future sister-in-law Lois Erickson Fleck. This of course was a story shared for many years!
He was part of the U.S. Army serving two years, 13 months of which were overseas in Korea. While in Korea Cpl. Roll was in an ordinance ammunition company. He was in charge of the heavy equipment of the Battalion which consisted of several cats, cranes, and graders. He was honorably discharged in March of 1953.
He came home from the war, bought a car and went to work. At this time his mother and dad had a boarding house renting rooms to people within the community. Betty Erickson, who was teaching school in the surrounding area happened to be renting one of those rooms. They spent the next year dating and dancing on the weekends until they were married on April 1, 1954.
They knew they would have to leave their North Dakota community to find work. Moving to Havre, MT he went to work for the Hill County Road Department and Betty went to work at the courthouse. They spent 6 years in this area of Havre, Zortman, and Glasgow. In this time period, all their children were born, Jane, Doug, and Steven.
They continued to follow construction work around the state, whether it was Road Work, building Dams or working as a mechanic. They lived in Havre, MT, Tiber Dam, Zortman, MT (Getter Trucking), Glasgow, MT (Ft. Peck Powerhouse), Great Falls, MT (Minute-Man Missiles), Kimball, NE, Fort Smith, MT (Yellowtail Dam), Conrad, MT (Minute-Man Missiles), Bonners Ferry, ID (Getter Trucking), Libby, MT (Libby Dam), and finally their last best place, Forsyth, MT (Sarpy, Long Construction, Western Energy).
He was a son, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather. He loved to socialize, dance and attend as many ballgames as possible! He was a simple man enjoying his life, work, family and Community!
May his legacy be remembered as a man with a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eye, and a skip in his step, like he was excited about whatever…
He is survived by his sons, Doug (Pam), Steve (Ginger); daughter, Jane (Todd) Deering; grandchildren: Jackie, Dusty and Stuart Deering, Adam Roll, Beth (George) Caldwell, Becky Roll (Jake Burns), Krista Roll (Jordan); great-grandchildren, Jackson, Greyson, Fischer and Willow; sisters, Theresa Fergel, Irene (Duane) Hellman; brother, Phillip (Louise) Roll; sister-in-law, Pauline Roll; and his many nieces and nephews.
His special friend, Merry Quinlan, whom we thank for spending so much time being his companion, whether it was going to ball games, Bingo or just watching Lawrence Welk every Saturday night.
Karl is preceded in death by his parents, Sebastian and Mary (Riehl) Roll; wife, Betty; brother, Joe Roll and brother-in-law, John Fergel.
Family to receive friends will be held at Stevenson and Sons Funeral home in Forsyth on Friday, January 31, 2020 from 4-6 PM. A Rosary Service will follow at 6:00 PM at the Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Forsyth. Burial will follow in the Forsyth Cemetery. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home have been entrusted with arrangements.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Friday January 31, 2020
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Mass
11:00 am
Saturday February 1, 2020
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Interment with Full Military Honors
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday February 1, 2020
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Friday January 31, 2020
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Mass
11:00 am
Saturday February 1, 2020
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Interment with Full Military Honors
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday February 1, 2020
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
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Dan & Diane Murnion says
We are sad to hear of Karl’s passing. His presence at the morning card game was greatly enjoyed over the past many years. I hope he and Betty are reunited and driving the Ford pickup around heaven.
monty erickson says
todd-jane steve-ginger and family , God has a good one and betty has her husband. sorry about your loss
God be with you, monty and irene erickson
Sharon Borla says
Steve & Ginger, Jane & Todd, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Sending prayers for comfort to you and all of Karl’s family.
Lynn Fitterer says
Jane, Todd, Steve, Ginger and kids: Sorry to hear about Karl passing. He always had something to say to me. He’s in heaven with Betty and he will be watching out for you and the kids and grandkids.
Megan Fudge Emmons says
Karl was such a kind and gentle spirit, and I enjoyed his stories. He was funny and sure loved his family. I will forever be grateful that I had the honor of calling him friend. Thanks Roll family for sharing him with me. Heaven gained a great one!
Pam (Moths) Nisley & Dave Nisley says
I got aquainted with Karl, as my dad was a fellow resident at Fountain Springs in Forsyth. Karl was a gentleman, and always loved for me to come see all the pics of his family!! He was so very proud of each one of you!!! My prayers for comfort in these days and in the months ahead. We care!!!
Cathy Byron says
Steve and Jane and Families –
Karl was a special guy. We seemed to bump into each other at the Post Office. He was always smiling and had a pleasant comment about this or that. He has been promoted to his final reward and reunited with your mother. What a celebration that is! Sending prayers asking the Lord to envelope you in His loving arms. That is where you will find peace.
Joan Leinwand says
Sending my condolences. Karl and Betty were special neighbors!
Mark Peterson says
To all of Karl’s family – my condolences on your loss. Whenever I would see Karl, even after being gone from Forsyth for over 40 years, he would still recognize me and greet me. I hope you have many fond memories of your parents – keep them always. They will help get through this difficult time.
David W Shreeve says
Steve, Ginger, and Family,
I am sorry to learn of Karl passing. I did so enjoy visiting with him at the PO or whenever I would run into him in town. What a gentleman and family man…we need more of his kind in our world today.
As the days and weeks come and go, certainly a sadness for your loss is always there; however, the really great memories you have of Karl far out weighs the negative hurt from loss.
God Bless you and yours in the days to come and may “the hope for the future make the present, pleasant…
June Ganser says
So sorry to hear the passing of Karl. What a great person. Karl & Vern had a standing joke about the key to get into N.Dak. Since we all came from N.D. Carl always had a smile & a joke or to, when ever we would run into each other. Heaven gain another great soul!!! He is back with Betty, now , & having a good time.
Duane and Sue Allred says
We alway enjoyed our visits with Karl, will miss seeing him. Our condolences to the Roll family.
John Allred says
Karl was a kind, fun loving person, and would lift the mood of everyone around him. I have many fond memories of Karl and Betty, at a dance they were the first on the dance floor and would stay ’till the last song was played. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Roll family in their time of loss.
Maggie Pate says
Jane, Todd, Steve and Ginger. So, so sorry to read of the passing of your dad and father-in-law. Karl had the most beautiful smile and used it often. He will be missed by the entire community. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sheila and Monty Haselhuhn says
What an absence has been made in the Forsyth community. Karl always had a smile on his face and a pleasant word for everyone. His spirit will be greatly missed by many. His family has been blessed by his examples and those examples will serve them well for generations to come. God bless and comfort you all!
Vern Ganser says
Sorry for your loss. Really enjoyed working with Karl,we had lots of good times. Thoughts and prayers with the family.
Tom Wood says
Doug and Pam, sorry to read about the passing of Karl. Sorry I did not have the pleasure if knowing him but he sure sounds like a great guy. May he RIP. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if there is anything I can do to help you over the hump.
Cindy Erhardt says
Thoughts and prayers with your family. He was always a nice guy to talk to and laugh with.
Janice Plucinski says
Steve, Jane & Family
Karl was a very nice man. He was always kind hearted and very courteous. All the mornings at Fitzgerald’s when the card crew would come in I enjoyed waiting on them. Karl & Elmer were always a kick blaming each other for cheating. Their antics where quite funny. I always enjoyed visiting with Karl wherever I would bump into him at.
I just know him and your mom are very happy to be together again.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family 🙏
Robert Hollister says
Todd, Jane, Steve, and Ginger; Sorry to hear of Karls passing, he was a good neighbor and friend. I’m sure he and Betty are dancing in Heaven togeather. Our thoughts and prayers. Bob and Marilyn Hollister
Doug & Cheryl Heser says
All of us who knew Karl both loved and enjoyed him, his stories and his enthusiasm for life. Music time at TLC Assisted Living will never be quite the same. We see Karl and Betty dancing and know they are happy and at peace. Our sympathy and prayers go out to all the family.
Doug & Cherie Heser
Lynn Waller says
I will miss Karl. He made my days fun when he came to senior center. He loved to play bingo. My heart goes out to the family!
Anita Kurtz says
Dear Friends, We are so sorry for the loss of Karl. We always enjoyed visiting with him when we happened to meet. He was a welcome, friendly Dogie Fan. We already miss him at the games. with sincere sympathy, Gene and Anita