Roland Kaiser, 1927-2014

Published 10:01 am Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Roland “Spike” Lowell Kaiser passed away peacefully at his home in Arizona Monday, April 21, 2014, with his children and the second love of his life, Shirley McKay, by his side.

Roland was born April 27, 1927, at home in Dunbar Township, Wells, to Ortwin John Kaiser and Ida Freida Wille. Roland married Marvel Elizabeth Passer on March 5, 1946, and together they raised 11 wonderful children. Marvel passed on July 1, 1994.

Roland was a hard-working farmer in southern Minnesota until 1967, when he and Marvel moved the family to Arizona due to Marvel’s health. He was a carpenter in Arizona for numerous years. In 1979 he and Marvel moved to northern Minnesota and began his third career as owner of Be-Mah-Quat resort in Ball Club for 12 years.

Roland retired at the age of 80, when he began enjoying golfing with his sons in Arizona during the winter months and fishing on his favorite lake, Big Ball Club, in northern Minnesota during the summer months.

Roland was able to be blessed to enjoy the second love of his life, Shirley McKay, for the last 15 years of his life. They traveled back and forth between Minnesota and Arizona.

Roland is survived by his 11 children, Karen Kaiser (Dale), Ilene Yost (Theodore), Lowell (Patty), Leonard (Kathy), Mary Kinion (Anthony), Mark, Richard, Carol Skaja, Dale H. (Melody), Charlene Garst (Chris) and Dawn Arnold (Grady); 23 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

A second memorial is planned for Saturday in Ellendale. The service will be at 10:30 a.m. at Ellendale Methodist Church for his Minnesota family and friends. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Hospice Family Care, 1550 S. Alma School Rd., Suite 102, Mesa, AZ, 85210.