Rolland Knute Brendsel

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Rolland Knute Brendsel (Rollie), 94, Brooke Ridge Retirement Community, Pharr, Texas died Monday August 11, 2014 at the Texas State Veterans Home, McAllen, Texas due to congestive heart failure.

Rollie was born September 25, 1919 in Baltic, South Dakota to Anna (Lula) and Knute Brendsel. He spent his childhood in Baltic and was the oldest of 5 brothers and 1 sister. He graduated from Baltic High School in 1938.

Rollie served in the 147th Field Artillery during WWII, spending much of the war in the Marianas Islands battling the Japanese. He also served in the Seabees during the Korean was on the island of Guam.

Rollie was married to Neva Kleppe, the daughter of Rasmus and Ava Kleppe, on November 23, 1944 in Cottonwood, Minnesota and ultimately ended up living in Baltic after he was discharged from the U.S. Army. After they moved to Baltic, Rollie took over has dad’s business, Brendsel Electric, Plumbing and Heating. He was very active in the Baltic community as one of the leaders that established the Baltic Legion Post, built the High School Gymnasium, built the municipal liquor store, got the city streets paved , to name a few. Rollie also bought a farm immediately adjacent to Baltic where he raised sheep and crops for many years. That farm is now the site of the Baltic Public School and many new homes. Rollie and Neva retired in 1980 and eventually moved to the McAllen, Texas area, but commuted back to their lake home on Lake Poinsett, SD for many years during the summers. They eventually lived full-time in Texas.

Rollie and Neva were long time members of the Baltic Lutheran Church but moved their membership to Trinity Lutheran Church when moving to Texas. When they relocated to Brooke Ridge Retirement Community they did attend the Presbyterian Church for a time, but later joined Our Savior Lutheran Church in McAllen prior to his death.

Rollie is survived by Neva, his spouse of 69 years; 3 children, Richard (and Michal) Brendsel, Marlin (and Sherry) Brendsel, and Darlene (and Tom) Phelan; 5 grandchildren, Lucas, Erick, Camille, Daniel and Stefanie; 7 great grandchildren, Ethan, Adin, Alyssa, Bret, John, Anna and Scarlett; and his brother Harold.

Rollie was preceded in death by his father Knute, his mother Lula, brothers Robert, Roger and Donald, and his sister Leona.
A memorial visitation will be from 1-3:00 PM Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the Baltic American Legion in Baltic. Interment of his ashes will be in the St. Olaf Cemetery in Baltic.

Memorials may be given for the Clarrissa Waters memorial Fund, which gives scholarships to members attending Lutheran colleges. Make checks to Our Saviors Lutheran Church at 1105 West Fern Ave, McAllen, TX 78501.