CHARLES "CHUCK" A. ROLLINS

April 5, 1924 - December 17, 2013

Charles (Chuck) A. Rollins, age 89 of Caledonia, passed away on December 17, 2013 at the Caledonia Care and Rehab Center. He was born in Caledonia on April 5, 1924 to Charles and Grace (Wheaton) Rollins. Chuck possessed a natural curiosity of anything mechanical, be it a recumbent bicycle or a diesel powered anything, he would create his own version of whatever seemed important to him with sometimes impressive results. Chuck left this world just 3 days after celebrating his 65th wedding anniversary with his lifetime love, Leota (Kannenberg) Rollins. He was a very proud WWII veteran, having served in the US Army airborne as a paratrooper in the Philippines. Chuck was a member of the American Legion Post 191 and VFW Post 3833. After the war he worked at Behren's Mfg in Winona, Trane Co. in Lacrosse, WI, Hector Const. in Caledonia and he built houses as well as farmed. Chuck retired in 1974 from the Caledonia volunteer fire dept. after 22 years of service. He had a passion for flying and airplanes, most recently ultra lites. A very active person throughout his life, he ran in many marathons over the years and rode his bicycle everywhere. He earned a first place medal in Duluth at Grandma's marathon in the over 80 year old class and enjoyed bicycling Grand Dad's Bluff. He was an avid skier and couldn't wait for the snow. The Redwood Cafe, his favorite coffee shop, gave Chuck the opportunity to mingle with as many people as possible, especially if he didn't know them, wanting to know where they were from and where they were going. He is preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter and brother, Marvin Rollins. He is survived by his wife Leota, children; Janene (Arnold) Meisch, Maureen Cassidy (Ed Yarborough), Craig (Barbara) Rollins, Brent (Carrie) Rollins, Kari (Tim) Johnson, sister; Harriet (Warren) Kirk, brother; Henry Morris (Lorraine) Rollins. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday December 28 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Caledonia, MN. Rev. Neal Solomonson will officiate and burial with military honors will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Caledonia. Visitation will be on Friday December 27, from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at McCormick Funeral home, 205 E. Main St. Caledonia, and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday