Roland "Rollie" Leinen

Roland “Rollie” Leinen, 91, passed away at St. Francis Nursing Home, Breckenridge, on Tuesday, January 28, 2020. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, February 2, 2020, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge. Visitation will continue at 10 a.m., Monday, February 3, 2020, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m., at United Methodist Church, Breckenridge. Pastor Mark Gronseth will be officiating. Burial will be held at Riverside Cemetery, Breckenridge, at a later date.

Roland, affectionately known as “Rollie,” was born near Doran, MN, on August 5, 1928, to Joseph and Dora (Larson) Leinen. He grew up and attended school in rural Doran and later, graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1946. Rollie then went on to work for a construction company and was responsible for setting up corn driers.

On June 23, 1950, Rollie was united in marriage to Rita Yvonne Rubish in Fairmount, ND. Shortly after their marriage, he was enlisted in the United States Army serving in Germany from 1951 to 1953. Upon his return, Rollie and Rita lived in rural Doran where he began farming, raising livestock and dairy cows. Then in 1960, they purchased a farmstead where they continued to live until September of 2019 when they moved to Twin Town Villa in Breckenridge.

Throughout the years, Rollie loved spending time with his family at Pickeral Lake and was an avid hunter, fisherman, and Minnesota Twins fan. Always one to stay busy, Rollie drove school bus for several years and dedicated his time to organizations such as the American Legion, VFW, Military Order of Cooties, and the United Methodist Church in Breckenridge. His legacy as a farmer, loving husband, father, and grandfather will forever be cherished.

Rollie will be greatly missed by his loving wife of nearly 70 years, Rita Leinen; children, Ryan (Dorothy) Leinen of Breckenridge, Rhonda (Bob) Ginsbach of Hankinson, ND, and Rory (special friend, Mary) Leinen of Breckenridge; grandchildren, Nicholas (Lindsey) Leinen and their daughter, Avalee; Angela (Aaron) Heck; Natalia (Joe) Heitkamp and their children, Aubrie, Addyson, Marley, and Easton; and Michael (girlfriend, Jordan) Ginsbach; sister, Connie (Ted) Reber of Haver, MT; sister-in-law, Doris Leinen of Fergus Falls, MN, and Laura Leinen of Doran, MN; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Dora Leinen; brothers, Russell Leinen and Bud Leinen; and sister, Dolores Dohman.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge.