Rolland "Rollie" Glen Franke

Rolland Glen Franke, one of two children of Phyllis Marie (Williams) and Glen Herman Franke, was born on January 28, 1939 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Rollie grew up in Silver City, Iowa where he graduated from the Silver City High School in 1957. Rollie worked around the farm until June of 1958, when he joined the United States Air Force.

On December 11, 1958, while on leave from the service, Rollie and Luella Mae Fender were married at the Silver City United Methodist Church Parsonage. They moved to Vermont where Rollie was stationed and worked on the flight line, loading armaments onto aircraft. Following his discharge in 1960, they returned to Silver City and were blessed with a son, Delwyn Lynn, in 1963.

Rollie attended barber school in Omaha, Nebraska, graduating in 1963. He got his first start cutting hair in Plattsmouth, Nebraska and later in Shenandoah, Iowa. In 1966, Rollie moved to his own shop in Glenwood, Iowa, located on the East side of the square, where he became part of the downtown culture. In 1977, he began to help his dad with the farming operation in the Silver City area. At this time he opened a barber shop in Silver City. A couple years later he returned back to Glenwood and opened up another barber shop on the northwest corner of the square. Rollie retired in January of 2009 after 46 years as a barber.

Rollie had been attending St. Paul's Evangelical Country Church near Council Bluffs and was a member of the Gordon May Legion Post 439 in Silver City. He enjoyed painting, golfing, spending time with his family, and most of all visiting with his customers.

Rollie and Luella were married 53 years when Rollie passed away on October 25, 2012 at the Regency Rehab in Council Bluffs after a long hard fight with Alzheimer's for the last 7 years. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Rollie is survived by his wife Luella Franke of Glenwood; son Delwyn Franke of Omaha; grandchildren, Kristen Deane and husband Steve and their children, Taylor, Audrey, and Liam, of Omaha, Deren Franke of San Diego, CA, and Kaitlyn Franke of Omaha; brother DeWayne Franke and wife Viola of Houston, TX; nieces and nephews; other relatives; and a host of friends.

Memorials to the Alzheimer's Association - Midlands Chapter.

Military Honors and Interment in the Silver City Cemetery.

Loess Hills Funeral Home of Glenwood in charge of arrangements.