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Roland Lewis “Rollie” Holwegner

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Birth	:	15 Jun 1919 Burlington, Kit Carson County, Colorado, USA
Death	:	28 Mar 2016 Yakima, Yakima County, Washington, USA
Burial	:	West Hills Memorial Park, Yakima, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate	:	46.5819016, -120.6647034
Description	:	Roland Lewis Holwegner was born in Burlington, Colorado on June 15, 1919, the second of seven children, to Fred and Luella Holwegner. The family eventually relocated to the Brownstown area where he farmed and ranched with his family. He attended Wapato High School until the age of 16. In an effort to help support the family, Rollie took a job on a fishing vessel headed for Alaska. He spent a year fishing in the Bearing Sea. Roland often remarked that if there was one thing he learned, fishing wasn’t going to be his career. After returning home he signed up with... Read More	Roland Lewis Holwegner was born in Burlington, Colorado on June 15, 1919, the second of seven children, to Fred and Luella Holwegner. The family eventually relocated to the Brownstown area where he farmed and ranched with his family. He attended Wapato High School until the age of 16. In an effort to help support the family, Rollie took a job on a fishing vessel headed for Alaska. He spent a year fishing in the Bearing Sea. Roland often remarked that if there was one thing he learned, fishing wasn’t going to be his career. After returning home he signed up with Civil Aeronautics for an Arctic Expedition. By January 1943, the Second World War was heating up and rather than be drafted, he enlisted with the US Army Air Corps. In his words, he would rather fly than walk. After his training he took combat duty in February of 1944. He and his crew flew six missions in a B24 Bomber of which he was the nose gunner. On his 6th mission his plane was attacked by 15 to 20 Falk Wolf fighter planes and was forced to crash land. He parachuted out over Occupied France. The following 6 months Roland spent hiding behind enemy lines until he was rescued by Canadian soldiers. Roland received two Purple Hearts, and two Bronze Stars, for his service. When asked about his service he would say "I wasn’t a hero I got to come home." Roland went on to work in a gold mine in Alaska before coming home to the Yakima Valley where met and married the love of his life, Betty Ostby on July 1, 1949. From this union two children were born, Bill and Cathy. Roland and his older brother Don and younger brother Jerry bought a sheep operation south of Toppenish. That was the beginning of the "Holwegner Sheep Company". In the early seventies, Roland, his younger brother Otis and close friend Bud Elmer homesteaded two sections of land in Northern British Columbia, Canada. Many years of hard work were spent to obtain clear title. Roland made numerous trips to this ranch which he deeply loved, each time bringing back stories of his adventures. In July 2006, Roland’s only son Bill was tragically taken in a motorcycle accident, leaving a void that could not be filled. In recent years, Roland and Betty retired and enjoyed life with friends and family at their home in West Valley, Yakima, Wa. Roland was known for his generosity, often giving money to children and people in need. He always wanted to make each and every one he knew feel important. Roland has touched many lives and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his son Bill Holwegner, two brothers, Don Holwegner and Jerry Holwegner, two sisters, Donna Davidson and Evelyn Gallipo, and his parents. A special thank you to all the love and support that friends and relatives have given to Roland’s family. Special thanks to Roland’s doctors, Dr. Craig Whittlsey and Dr. Dan Doornik. To share a memory of Roland visit www.keithandkeith.com.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Roland Lewis “Rollie” Holwegner's memorial?
Roland Lewis “Rollie” Holwegner's memorial is located at: West Hills Memorial Park, Yakima, Yakima County, USA.
When did Roland Lewis “Rollie” Holwegner death?
Roland Lewis “Rollie” Holwegner death on 28 Mar 2016 in Yakima, Yakima County, Washington, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Roland Lewis “Rollie” Holwegner's memorial?
Latitude: 46.5819016
Longitude: -120.6647034

Family Members:

Parent

Fred Holwegner

(1893 - 1975)

Louise F. “Luella” Adolf Holwegner

(1898 - 1980)

Siblings

Donald Frederick Holwegner

(1917 - 1978)

Gerald L Holwegner

(1923 - 2004)

Evelyn B. Holwegner Gallipo

(1927 - 1999)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. West Hills Memorial Park
Yakima, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5819016, -120.6647034

2. Emeunot Cemetery
Wapato, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5243988, -120.6616974

3. Sloutier Cemetery
Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5231018, -120.6722031

4. Saluskin Cemetery
Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5266991, -120.7039032

5. Cowiche Natchez Cemetery
Cowiche, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6490840, -120.6885330

6. Yemowat Cemetery
Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5475006, -120.5730972

7. Nelson Pioneer Cemetery
Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6404310, -120.5831510

8. Calvary Cemetery
Yakima, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5790740, -120.5407420

9. Tahoma Cemetery
Yakima, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5753610, -120.5332320

10. Lewis Family Cemetery
Yakima, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5390013, -120.5052581

11. Pioneer Cemetery
Union Gap, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5578003, -120.4697037

12. Selah Pioneer Cemetery
Selah, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6720000, -120.5140000

13. Union Gap Cemetery
Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5209084, -120.4850998

14. Terrace Heights Memorial Park
Yakima, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6068600, -120.4598900

15. Naches Cemetery
Naches, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7299530, -120.6896990

16. Reservation Community Memorial Park
Wapato, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.4484291, -120.5375519

17. Holland Cemetery
Moxee City, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5766983, -120.3861008

18. Shaker Cemetery
White Swan, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.3891907, -120.6621399

19. Wenas Cemetery
Selah, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7743988, -120.6243973

20. Methodist Cemetery
White Swan, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.3862686, -120.7268066

21. Yesmowit Cemetery
White Swan, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.4009500, -120.8169600

22. St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery
White Swan, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.3764000, -120.7391968

23. Klick-Peter Cemetery
White Swan, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.3748370, -120.7323250

24. Holy Rosary Cemetery
Moxee City, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5531006, -120.3585968