02/11/2025
Esther Oletha Schrader Roland, 91, passed away on February 11, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 17, 2025, at Pierschbacher’s new location, located at 309 W. Main St. Knoxville, Iowa.
Family will receive guests at 9:30 prior to the service. A luncheon will be held immediately following services.
Oleta will be interred with her husband, David, in Greenwood Cemetery at a later date.
Oleta was born in Monroe, Iowa on December 27, 1933, to Robert and Myrtle (Kingery) Schrader.
She attended school with the Class of 1952 in Knoxville, Iowa.
In 1951, she married a young man named David Roland in a ceremony in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
They stayed by each other’s side for 56 years until his passing in 2007.
Oleta spent most of her working years lovingly raising her family as well as working on the farm.
She had many passions throughout her life. She enjoyed bowling for many years, and was even featured on the TV show “Let’s Go Bowling.”
Oleta also loved passing time with a card game, puzzle, or a John Wayne western.
She also found solace in sitting down and simply watching the birds outside. Oleta loved watching sports, faithfully following her Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes.
She was lucky enough to watch a game at Kinnick Stadium. Oleta was thankful she lived to see her beloved Cubbies win a World Series.
While she enjoyed her Cubs and Hawkeyes, Oleta’s favorite sporting events were those of her grandchildren.
She was always caught up in the action, sitting in the front row cheering.
Oleta was the perfect grandmother, always making sure the kids knew she was there for them.
Her love for family was evident in everything she did. Her family will deeply miss her loving and occasionally stubborn ways.
Left to cherish Oleta’s memory are her sons, Bob Roland and Tim (Sara) Roland; grandchildren: Tate (Jena) Roland, Matthew Roland, Stephanie (Geoff Dye) Roland, Travis (Kelsey) Roland, Doug Roland, and Dalton (Shauna) Roland; nine great grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren, and her ex-daughter in-law, Cheryl Roland.
She was preceded by her parents; husband, David Roland; son, Doug Roland; daughter in-law, Carlene Roland; and her brothers, Harold Schrader and Tom Schrader.