John F. Rollins, 90

Published 1:12 pm Saturday, November 18, 2017

John F. Rollins, 90, of Faribault, Minnesota, passed away suddenly with his family by his side on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017.

John F. Rollins, 90

John Francis Rollins was born on July 24, 1927, in Austin, Minnesota, to Joseph Vincent and Dora Louise (Wachsmann) Rollins. He attended St. Augustine High School and graduated with the class in 1945. After high school John served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 -1948. John then went on to attend St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, where he graduated in 1953. During this time John entered the novitiate in Galesville, Wisconsin, which is where he made his first vows in 1950. Thereafter he was a teaching brother in St. Louis, Missouri. During this time is when he made his perpetual vows. John then went on to study philosophy and theology at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. In 1964 he was ordained into the priesthood by His Excellency Francois Charrierre, Bishop of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg.

In 1969 after John left the priesthood, he married Gina S. Quinlan in Oakland, California. For many years John and Gina lived on a small ranch in Asotin, Washington, where they kept horses, including one Arabian. They also cared for cattle, two dogs and a cat. John and Gina both worked for the Clarkston School District until retirement. John was a counselor and Gina was a teacher. From 1995-2005, John, Gina, and their cat lived in an RV, splitting their time between Ham Lake, Wisconsin, and traveling throughout the western states.

Through their travels, John and Gina were able to experience life and their love of nature to its fullest. In 2005, they settled down in Green Bay, Wisconsin. After Gina’s passing in 2007, John moved to Faribault to be closer to family. John moved in with his niece, Lu (Larson) Olson, who cared for him until she could no longer. He then moved in with his great-niece, Angela (Olson) Winkelman and her family. John lived with them in Faribault for the remainder of his life.

While John lived in Faribault he enjoyed going for walks to Central Park, playing cards and watching sports on TV.  John was often found reading a novel, while the family cat and dog laid closely by. He was also known to never turn down a hot fudge sundae from the Dairy Queen.

He is survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gina; his parents, Joseph and Dora; his siblings, Louise, William, Catherine, Robert, and Joseph; and his niece, Lu Olson.

At John’s request, no services are to be held.

Arrangements are with Parker Kohl Funeral Home and Crematory of Faribault. For online tributes and further information, please visit www.ParkerKohlFuneralHome.com.