Dorothy Rose Roling

Dorothy Rose (Francois) Roling, 93, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2025, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester, Iowa, after an extended illness. Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Clifton-Murdoch Funeral Home in Earlville. An additional visitation will take place at Clifton-Murdoch Funeral Home from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earlville with Reverend Christopher Podhajsky officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Earlville. 

Dorothy was born on August 13, 1931, near Garryowen, Iowa, to Clarence and Ida (Mausser) Francios. As the eldest daughter to a family of 13 children, Dorothy was her mother’s “right hand”, caring for her younger siblings and preparing meals for the family and nearby farmers during planting and harvesting season. Dorothy attended country school and graduated from Lamont High School where she was a basketball star. On July 13, 1953, she married LaVerne Roling and together they made their home in Earlville. Eight children were born to this union: Diane, Duane, Dan, Deb, Darlene, Dawn, Denise, and Doug. LaVerne and Dorothy owned and operated Roling’s Grocery Store in Earlville for 30 years. Later, Dorothy worked at the Pamida store in Manchester, until her retirement. Dorothy loved to play cards, bingo, put together puzzles, and enjoyed a trip to the casino! She was known to her family and friends for her competitive spirit. She also enjoyed sports and loved watching her children and grandchildren play. Dorothy spent many days listening to the Chicago Cubs as she crocheted or embroidered. Her family was the recipient of her many hand-made gifts. 

Surviving Dorothy are her children, Diane Tigges of Madison Wisconsin, Duane (Deb) Roling of Dyersville, Iowa, Dan (Diane) Roling of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Deb (Keith) Hunt of Earlville, Darlene Hass (Mark Anderson) of Van Horne, Iowa, Dawn, and Doug (Angie) Roling both of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 18 grandchildren; and 38 great-grandchildren and one on the way. Her siblings, Bob (Ann) Francois, Ray Francois, Irene Fischer, Helen (Lawrence) Schaul, Tom Francois, Lori Prantner, Frank (Patty) Francois, Mike (Patsy) Francois; and her in-laws, Ruth Francois, Merwin Tibbott, and Arthur (Paula) Roling.

Preceding Dorothy in death are her husband, LaVerne Roling; parents, Clarence and Ida Francois; daughter in infancy, Denise; and great-granddaughter Laina; siblings, Ed (Ruth) Francois, Leo (Lois) Francois, Bill Francois, Mary Tibbott; parents-in-law, Theodore and Frances Roling; in-laws, Don Fischer, Pat Francois, Dorothy Francois, and many other Roling in-laws.

Dorothy’s family would like to extend a special ‘Thank you” to the staff of the Good Neighbor Home and The Meadows for taking such wonderful care of her!

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dorothy’s memory may be directed to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earlville and Beckman Catholic Schools, Dyersville.

Please share a memory of Dorothy at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.