Roland "Rolly" Kortlever

Roland Peter Kortlever was born on May 7, 1936, on the family farm in Leota Township the son of Peter and Margaret (Olivier) Kortlever. He attended country school through the 8th grade and then helped his dad farm. In 1956 he enlisted into the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. During his tour he worked in motor pool and drove school bus bringing military children to school.

Rolly was honorably discharged on January 31, 1958. He returned to Minnesota after serving his country and worked for a short time for the Hanson Silo Company. He moved to South Dakota where he met Kay Schurman and on May 27, 1961 the couple was married in Garretson, SD. In 1963, the couple moved back to Minnesota and Rolly farmed with his father until 1970 when they bought their own farm. They were dairy farmers until 1998 when they sold the dairy herd and then started a small beef herd. In 2008 they sold the farm machinery and actively quit farming.

Rolly also worked at Wilson Manufacturing in Pipestone from 2001 to 2014 when they retired to the Alexandria area.

In retirement Rolly liked to work on puzzles, do word finds, and go fishing. Throughout his life he did a lot of woodworking, building cabinets, toy barns for the grandchildren, and was handy to help with about any project. As a couple they enjoyed going ATVing and camping. He was also a member of both the Holland American Legion in Holland, Minnesota and United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Minnesota.

Roland died on Monday, July 29, 2024 at his home. He is survived by his wife, Kay; sons: Randy (Kay), Kent (Tracy); grandchildren: April (Victor), Megan (Shad), Tyler, Tanner, Tessa (Tucker); great grandchildren: Eziekiel & Oliver; brother, Robert; sisters: Nelvia Lokhorst, Betty Huebner.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Helena; brother-in-laws: Cecil Wager, Darrel Lokhorst, and Fritz Huebner.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 4, 2024, 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Monday, August 5, 2024, 1:00 – 2:00 PM at the United Methodist Church in Alexandria with a Memorial Service at 2:00 PM.  In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Glendalough Park Partners or the Lakes Area Humane Society.