Roaland C. (Rollie) Fox

Fox Roaland (Rollie) C. Fox, 81, of Osseo, WI, died Thursday, January 30, 2003 at Sacred Heart Hospital following a courageous battle with bone cancer. Rollie was born on July 26, 1921 in Minneapolis, MN to Clifford E. Fox and Hazel (Catura) Fox. The family resided in Arkansaw, WI until moving to Milwaukee, WI, following his parents' divorce. Hazel married John Off, whom he considered his adoptive father. He attended school until the 11th grade, when he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. From 1942-1946, he served in the Pacific Theater (New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Luzon) with the 517th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Co. and attained the rank of S/Sgt in the U.S. Army. He was again called to duty on January 16, 1951 and served as M/Sgt with Btry "B" 151st FA Bn 47th Div. at Camp Rucker, Alabama. He was discharged on November 9, 1951. Some of his moments in life were when he was employed at the Minneapolis Star and Tribune as News Print Superintendent. He said he enjoyed going to work every day until his retirement in 1983. Roaland married Edna L. (Pehrson) Scribner on June 14, 1945. They resided in Golden Valley, MN, until her death in 1981. There were three children from this union: Judith (Jo) George, Apple Valley, MN, Robert D. Fox, St. Paul, MN, and Richard L. Fox (deceased). The family enjoyed summers at Lake Holcombe, Isle Bay Resort. On September 21, 1985, Rollie married Lavonne Voxx. They resided in St. Louis Park until her death on June 3, 1992. His extended family included 2 step-daughters, Pamela Morgan, Maple Grove, MN and Teri Anderson, Minnetonka, MN. Roaland and Lavonne enjoyed their time wintering in Mesa, AZ and Isle Bay Resort in the summer. In April of 1993, he sold his property in Arizona and resided full-time at Isle Bay Resort. During this time, he met and married Ronna Hemer of Cornell, WI, on July 15, 2000. The newlyweds moved to Cornell until building their home in Osseo, WI, where they resided at the time of his death. Roaland was a life time member of the American Legion and VFW. Preceding him in death were his parents, Clifford and Hazel Fox; stepfather, John Off and his loving son, Richard Fox and step-grandson, Andrew Boss. Survivors include wife, Ronna; son, Robert D. Fox (LuAnn), St. Paul, MN; daughter, Judith "Jo" George, Apple Valley, MN; 3 step-daughters, Pamela Morgan (Daniel), Maple Grove, MN, Teri Anderson (Douglas), Minnetonka, MN, Amy Schwoerer (Gregory), Chippewa Falls, WI; 2 stepsons, Steven Schlageter (Nancy), Cornell, WI and Michael Schlageter (Anita), Chippewa Falls, WI; grandchildren, Donald (Terri) George, Bobbie Jo (Chris) Gugat, James Fox, Lasie and Jesse Fox; step-grandchildren, Katie (Ryan) Olson, Chris (Terri) Morgan, Molly Morgan, Miki Anderson, Cory Anderson, Sami Anderson, Katie Anderson, Nicole Schlageter, Steven Schlageter Jr., Jacob Schlageter, Bailey Schwoerer, Jordan Schwoerer, Adam Boss and Tony Boss; great-granddaughter, Miranda Gugat, step-great-grandchildren, Kiara Stipek and Logan Olson. Funeral service Tues., February 11, 2003 at 10 am at Borton Funeral Home, Cornell, WI. There will be a visitation for family and friends on Monday, Feb. 10 from 4-8 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be at Fort Snelling in St. Paul, MN. He was bigger than life. A more gentle man you would not find and so to all of us he was our gentle giant. We will always love and miss him. The heavens opened up to a wonderful, caring man who gave his family strength and wisdom.

Published on February 9, 2003