Kenneth “Ken” George Rolfes

Published 5:16 pm Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Kenneth “Ken” George Rolfes, age 71, passed away on May 1, 2019 at the Shelby Baptist Hospital in Alabaster, Alabama.

Born May 15, 1947 in Yankton, South Dakota, Ken spent his childhood growing up on the Rolfes family farm in Cedar County, Nebraska.

He was called to military service in the United States Army in July, 1966, and proudly served his country in the Vietnam War.

Ken continued to serve over 16 years in the Army and Army Reserve, including time stationed abroad and various combat deployments. After being injured in battle during Desert Storm, Ken was honorably discharged from the Army in 1990 and eventually relocated to Alabama where he resided until his death.

An Airborne Ranger, Ken was the recipient of various military honors and awards including, but not limited to, a Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Campaign Stars, Expert Marksman, and multiple Good Conduct Medals.

Ken was predeceased by his mother, Anna (Heine) Rolfes and father, Jerome Rolfes, and is survived by his sons, Robert and his wife Virginia and their children Geneva, Anne Marie and Copeland of Charlotte, North Carolina and John and his wife Keke and their children Jackson and Nash of Lincoln, Nebraska.

He is also survived by his siblings David, Ron and his wife Rose, Charlie, Joann Suing and her husband Ron, and Rose Goeden and her husband Dave, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass for friends and family will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, May 13 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Menominee, Nebraska (55768 894 Road, Fordyce, Nebraska 68736).

A reception will be held in the St. Boniface parish hall immediately following the funeral service.