Florence Roller

A Liturgy of the Word for Florence Roller, 92, of Dickinson will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson with Father Dennis Schaefer officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Visitation for Florence will be from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 19, 2023 at Stevenson Funeral Home with a rosary and vigil being held at 6:00 p.m.

Florence passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at Sanford Health in Bismarck. 

Florence B. Roller was born August 30, 1930, to Joseph and Kathryn (Kilwein) Wandler in Dickinson, ND. She attended local grade school and later graduated from Dickinson Central High School in 1948. Florence and some friends moved to Seattle after graduation and Florence began to pursue a nursing career but was called home to care for her mother.  After meeting the love of her life, Florence married Leonard G. Roller October 10, 1950, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dickinson. They farmed south of Dickinson on the Roller family homestead until 1959 when they moved to town where she raised their five children. Once all five children were in school, Florence went to work; first at Dickinson High School in the cafeteria, next she managed the snack bar at the Dickinson State College Student Union where she touched the hearts of many students and faculty. This was Mom’s favorite place of work. So many students loved and adored their second mom, and she loved them. She then worked at St. Joseph’s Grade School cafeteria. 

Florence loved visiting with company. She made sure her home was open to everyone. She had a heart of gold, and her kindness was instantly recognized by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting her. She had her own way of fishing which was different than the rest of the family and usually resulted in her shouting “Get the net!”  Florence had an uncanny sense of taste and smell, which allowed her to cook and bake like no other, improving old recipes, and developing new creations. She made the best chicken noodle soup and borscht and we will all miss her coconut spudnut doughnuts.  She had a green thumb and her gardens proved it. If you were lucky, you would get some of her unique canned goods like sweet and sour pickles, pepper, tomato and onion sauce (PTO), and horseradish. Sharing the fruits of her labor filled her heart with joy. She enjoyed trips with her family to see siblings on the west coast. Florence loved to go to the casino to play penny slots. As a child Florence grew up with music in the house and sang with her sisters while her Dad played the pump organ. Florence sang and played the organ by ear like her father. Florence and Leonard shared a love for dancing. She taught all her children to dance to ensure they would enjoy a lifetime of dancing. Florence was the calm in the storm, the absolute peace in our hearts, and the joy in our spirits.

Florence is survived by her five children, eight Grandchildren, and six Great-Grandchildren whom she loved dearly and hugged tightly.  Son, Larry (Adela), Bismarck, ND, Grandchild Brent (Heather), Great-grandchildren Elaina & Eloise, Grandchild Eric (Anna), Great-grandchildren Eli & Naomi, Grandchild Brandon (Melissa), Great-grandchildren Alexis, Camden & Paxton; son Randy (Vicki), Bismarck, ND: Grandchild, Jennifer, Great-grandchild Piper, Grandchild Travis; daughter Sandra Zent, Bismarck, ND: Grandchild Mollie (Shawn) Schulz, Great-grandchildren Melissa & Dylan; Grandchild Jonathan (Rebecca) Zent, Great-grandchildren Dawson, Evan & Gavin; son Jeffrey (Roberta), Rapid City, SD; daughter Jane (Tom) Chady, Slidell, LA: Grandchild John; surviving siblings William Wandler, Vasalia, CA, Elaine Garecht, Delevan, WI, and brother-in-law Louis Schwindt, Nevis, MN;  sisters-in-law Martha Lambert & Marge (George) Hoffman; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Leonard; sister Dorothy (Scott) Shoemaker, sister Joan Schwindt, brother Harry (Jeanette) Wandler; and Great-grandchild Bennett Zent.