BONNIE BELLE (BALKE) ROLENDER
Bonnie Belle (Balke) Roleder, 92, of Lincoln, Nebraska was born on August 20, 1929, on the family farm near Johnson, Nebraska. She was one of four children born to Rohland and Emma (Rohrs) Balke. Bonnie was baptized into the Lutheran faith at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Johnson and confirmed at age 12. She grew up in the Johnson, Auburn and Adams, Nebraska communities. Bonnie graduated from Adams High School in 1946 and received a Regents Scholarship.
She taught in rural schools for three years from age 16 to 19 and then attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Bonnie graduated as a Parish Worker and served three years at Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicago Illinois.
On August 16, 1953, Bonnie was united in marriage to Edwin Roleder at American Lutheran Church in Adams Nebraska. After their marriage, Bonnie and Ed completed Seminary and Internship, and Ed accepted a call to their first parish in Portland, Oregon. There they were blessed with two daughters, Jane and Lisa. After serving ten years in Portland, they moved to Denver Colorado for nine years, followed by ten years in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1985, they moved back out to the Northwest to Tacoma, Washington. After almost two decades, Ed and Bonnie retired to Lincoln in 2001.
Bonnie served as the Editor of the Central District Heartbeat; Administrate Assistant to a Bishop, a Senator, and a Publisher. Her two loves were children and flowers, and they both bloomed at her touch and smile. Angels surrounded her as she collected them from childhood. The mountain cabins they owned in Oregon and Colorado were her great loves. She loved to travel as well, and she and Ed traveled the world, having visited over 30 countries over the course of their lifetime together.
Bonnie went to be with her Lord on Monday, March 21, 2022, at The Monarch in Lincoln having reached the earthly age of 92 years, six months and a day. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Edwin, and her brothers James and Gailen, as well as an infant sister.
Those left to mourn her passing are her daughters: Jane Susanna Clink (Ronald) of Wellington, New Zealand; Lisa Marie Scopazzi (John) of Sausalito, Calif.; granddaughters: Elisabeth Clink, Margaret Adlam (Glen), Hannah Clink, and Juli Hychko (Michael); two great grandchildren Freya and Gabriel; sister-in-law Evelyn Balke; brother-in-law George Roleder; and many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Johnson, with Pastor Bill Shaner officiating. A broadcast of Bonnie’s services will be available on Hall Funeral Chapel Face Book page.
Interment immediately followed the services at St. Matthew Lutheran Cemetery in Johnson.
Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Matthew Lutheran Cemetery Fund.
Condolences can be shared online at www.hallfuneral.net
Service were entrusted to Hall Funeral Chapel, 707 15th Street, Auburn, Nebraska 68305; (402) 274-3131