James A. Roling

November 6, 1949 - May 28, 2021

James A. Roling, age 71, of Urbandale, IA, formerly of Preston, IA, passed away Friday, May 28, 2021 at Bickford of Urbandale. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at SS. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, in Sugar Creek, IA, with burial to follow at SS. Mary and Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will take place Tuesday, June 1, 2021, from 4pm to 7pm, at Law Jones Funeral Home, in Preston, IA. Jim was born November 6, 1949, in rural Preston, the son of Benedict and Laurentia (Reuter) Roling. He attended local schools, graduating from Northeast High School with the class of 1967. After high school, Jim joined the United States Army, serving his nation during the Vietnam War. Upon returning from Vietnam, James married Marilou Heiar in Charlotte, IA. The couple celebrated 29 years of marriage before Marilou’s untimely passing in July of 2000. Jim spent much of his life as a farmer and seed salesman, drove school bus, and repaired lawn mowers. He was also a Rural Electric Cooperative board member. Jim was a member of SS. Mary & Joseph Catholic Church, in Sugar Creek. He enjoyed watching grandkids activities, presenting his Vietnam experience, visiting friends and neighbors, carpentry, organizing CEW retreats, birdwatching, and watching Hallmark movies. Jim is survived by his children, Rob (Shanan) Roling, of Maxwell, Jill Roling, of Cedar Rapids, and Rebecca Roling, of Clinton; grandchildren, Xyander & Philip Zuhlke and Wil Roling, Madelyn Green, and Abigail Roling; special friend, Marietta Trenkamp and her children, Tricia and Jeff Trenkamp; siblings, Leo "Pete" Roling of Bryant, Bertha Pfab and Karen (Eugene) Pfab of Dubuque, twins, Doris (Dan) Lawrence, Miles and Delores Wood, DeWitt, Lois (Darrell) Trenkamp of Maquoketa, Ruthann "Annie" (Terry) Hahn of Charlotte and Larry (Joan) Roling of Sugar Creek; and many nieces and nephews. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Laurentia; wife, Marilou; son John James Roling; daughter, Jennifer June Roling; and brother, Kenneth Roling.