James H. “Jim” Roling, 84, of St. Donatus, IA passed away peacefully on February 27, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family. 

Friends and family may visit from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road in Dubuque. A family wake service will be held before the visitation at 12:45 p.m.  Friends may also visit on Monday, March 4, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. until the 10:00 a.m. Mass at St. Donatus Catholic Church, with Father Bob Gross officiating. Burial will be in St. Donatus Catholic Cemetery, with military honors by the Iowa Army National Guard.

Jim was born to Alphonse and Alberta (Welter) Roling at his family’s home in New Vienna, IA, on July 12, 1939.  He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Ruth Grobstick, on September 2, 1961, at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church.  He worked for Brimeyer Auto Body as a body man for 34 years. Jim also served our country as an Army Reservist for 5 years.

He was a social man who never met a stranger and he saw the importance in serving his community. He was a charter member and leader of the Key West Sportsman’s Club, longtime member of St. Catherine’s/St. Donatus parishes, an inaugural State of Iowa Hunter Safety Instructor, and was Mayor/Council Member of St. Donatus for many years. He loved fishing, playing cards (especially Euchre), riding his lovingly restored John Deere “B”, and, most of all, spending time with his family.

Jim’s legacy will live on in his proudest accomplishment – his family.  He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Ruth, Daughter – Annette (Ken) Kress of Peosta, IA and their children,  Katie (Shane) Johnson, Traci (Ben) Jones; Son – Andy Roling of Muscatine, IA and his children, Trent Roling (fiancé Alexis), Reece (Kaitlyn) Roling; Son – Russ (Carrie) Roling of Albany, WI and their children, Heather (Chris) Pritts, Jim Roling, Trisha Roling (friend Drew), Brittany Ray, Brie (Austin) Rundall, Alex (Bethany) Nickels, Tony Nickels (friend Jessi), Gracie Swenson (fiancé Dan), Kiley Swenson; Daughter – Peggy (Ken) Tully of Dubuque, IA and their children, Jena Gruber (Romain Benali), Michael (Kate) Tully, Lucas Tully, Elizabeth Tully (Rifat Celik); Son – Dean Roling of Milan, IL and his children Sidney Roling (friend Payton), Tyler Roling (fiancé Sasha); and 11 Great Grandchildren.   His siblings Donnie Roling, Kenny Roling, LaVonne (Don) Bries, Donna (Dan) Vaske, Gary (Patsy) Roling, Mary (Steve) Deppe, Chuck Roling, Bob Roling, Patty (Mark) Nelson, Kathy (Greg) Deuthmann, Lois Dietzel and many nieces and nephews.  His in-laws, Elsie Doser-Welsch, Bill Grobstick, and Coletta Tucker.

He was preceded in death by his parents Alphonse (Alberta) Roling and in-laws Wilbur (Coletta) Grobstick, Sharon Roling, Grace Roling, Dennis Dietzel, Joe Welsch, Linda Grobstick, Allan Tucker and Bud Doser.

In lieu of flowers a James H. Roling memorial fund will be established.