Rachel Ena Marie Roland

Rachel Roland, 79, died August 3, 2009 in Rochester, MN. Rachel was born December 4, 1929 in Fargo, ND to SG and Marie (Thompson) Reinertsen. She was baptized and confirmed her faith at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN. Rachel took piano lessons from Paul J Christiansen as a teen through her college years. She graduated May 1951 from Concordia College in Moorhead with a degree in Music and English. Rachel was a soprano in the Concordia Choir where she met Peter of Stephen, MN. She married Peter Roland on December 27, 1951 in Moorhead at Trinity Lutheran Church. They operated his family small grain and potato farm from 1952-1987. As a teacher in Stephen, she taught English, Music, served as librarian, and directed choirs and plays. She and Peter were avid golfers and both had shot a hole-in-one. She played organ for 60 years including: Trinity Lutheran in Moorhead MN, Saint Petri Lutheran and First Lutheran in Stephen MN and Community Lutheran in Bullhead City AZ. In 1979, they began spending the winter months in Bullhead City, and later retired there. They were charter members of Community Lutheran. Peter died February 15, 2001. Rachel moved to the Zumbrota Towers in December 2004. She was a member of Saint Paul Lutheran in Pine Island. She enjoyed living near family these past 4 years. She died of a stroke August 3, 2009.
Rachel is survived by three daughters: Anne Roland (Kym Fear), Zumbrota, MN; Myra Murray (Mark) Zumbrota, MN; Monica Heuer (Gerry) Sioux Falls, SD; brother Steve Reinertsen (Linda) Salinas, CA; 4 grandchildren: Nate, Barry, Rob, Jill; 2 great granddaughters: Breanna, Erika.