Roland M. Weiss, 94, passed away on March 18, 2011 at Bell Tower in Merrill, WI. He was born on October 10, 1916 in Arlington, SD to Reinhold and Tilly (Brose) Weiss. Since his childhood, Roland had been a resident of the Merrill area.
Roland married Ruth Steckling on May 30, 1942 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Town of Maine. She preceded him in death on October 15, 2010, after 68 years of marriage.
Roland and Ruth farmed in the Merrill area in the first years of their marriage. After selling their farm, he was employed as a derrick operator at Prehn Quarry and then as a truck driver at Associated Co-op and Northern Door Corp. Roland retired from Northern Door in 1980, but continued to work parttime driving cars for local dealerships.
He possessed special skills in woodworking, mechanics and gardening. He also enjoyed fishing. He and Ruth worked together on numerous projects, including building, repairing and refinishing furniture. They were members of Trinity Lutheran Church for many years.
Roland is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Suzanne Weiss, Middleton, WI. He is further survived by two granddaughters, Sarah (Douglas) Korzendorfer of Brooklyn Park, MN, and Rachel (Shannon) Gray of Rochester, MN, one grandson, Jonathan Weiss, Stevens Point, and three grandchildren, Zackary and Nickolas Korzendorfer and Danielle Gray. He is also survived by his brother, Werner Weiss, Marathon City, and several nieces and nephews.
Roland was preceded in death by his brother Alvin (Lorraine), South Dakota, and by a sister-in-law, Elvira Weiss, Wausau. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill at 11:00 AM, Monday, March 21, with visitation starting at 10:00 AM. Rev. Brian Stolarczyk will officiate, with burial to follow at Maple Grove Cemetery.
If desired, memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or Bell Tower Residence.
Waid Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.