Roland Gilk Obituary

Roland F. "Rollie" Gilk, age 89 of Albany, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 7 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany with Rev. Julius Beckermann, O.S.B. officiating and Rev. Edward Vebelun, O.S.B. concelebrating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.

Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday at the Seven Dolors Gathering Area in Albany. Knights of Columbus and Catholic United Financial prayed a rosary at 4 p.m. followed by prayers at 6 p.m. by the Albany Fire Department.

Roland Frederick Gilk was born December 30, 1935 in Albany Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Jacob and Clara (Weinmann) Gilk. He graduated from Albany High School. After graduation, he had several jobs before starting his 61 year career as a custodian and school bus driver at Albany Area High School. Rollie's dedication and never saying "no" attitude earned him a spot on the Academic Wall of Honor at the high school. On August 12, 1958, he was united in marriage to Mathilda "Tillie" Garding at St. Martin Catholic Church in St. Martin. In 1973, he began working with Bob Brenny with the ambulance service and as a funeral assistant at Schaefer Brenny Funeral Home in Albany. He continued working as a funeral assistant when it became Brenny Funeral Homes of Albany and Holdingford. After working for Bob and Pat Brenny at the funeral home for many years, Rollie joined the staff at Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services in 2004. He truly enjoyed working at the funeral home and socializing with people. Rollie and Tillie owned and operated Albany Country Floral and Gifts for many years. He enjoyed bowling in a league, dancing, and traveling, but most of all, his greatest joy was spending time with his family.

Rollie was a life-long member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany where he served as an usher. He was also a member of the Albany Fire Department for 32 years, Albany Lion's Club for 47 years, Knights of Columbus Father Pierz Council #3628, Catholic United Financial #400, and Heritage Society.

Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Tillie Gilk of Albany; children, Susan (Dale) Spanier of Paynesville, Janet (Steve) Notch of Freeport, Linda (Leon) Toenies of Albany, Joseph (Sandy) Gilk of St. Joseph, and John (Tammy) Gilk of Richmond; 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, soon to be 15; sister, Connie (Gene) Chock of Albany; and many nieces and nephews.

Rollie was preceded in death by his parents; two infant children, Roland and Mary; brothers and sisters and in-laws, Herbert (Gertie) Gilk, Lucetta (Joe) Lischwe, Oliver Gilk, and Aldamae (Ray) Mayers.

Memorials are preferred to Holy Family School in Albany and Quiet Oaks Hospice House.

Arrangements were entrusted with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.