Rollin Hunter

Rollin L. Hunter, age 91, of South Sioux City, passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2015, at Regency Square Care Center in South Sioux City, NE.

Abiding by Rollin’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Graveside services with military rites will be conducted in the Dakota City Cemetery in Dakota City, NE, at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel.

Rollin was born on March 10, 1924, in Homer, NE, to Thomas and Mabel (Gilson) Van Cleave. Mabel passed away a few days after his birth, leaving Thomas with Rollin and three other small children. Before her death, it was Mabel’s wish that Rollin be given to her sister, Nora (Gilson) Hunter, and Nora’s husband, Thomas Hunter, to raise. Nora and Thomas raised and adopted Rollin. As they were farmers, he grew up on farms in the Homer, Walthill, and Winnebago area. Rollin attended Winnebago schools.

During World War II, and while Rollin was in his final year of high school, he enlisted in the United States Army. He was inducted into the Army at Ft. Crook, NE. Rollin was a Light Tank Crewman and Technician in the 751st Tank Battalion, 1st Armored Division, 5th Army. He actively served from Feb. 27, 1943, through Nov. 4, 1945. He saw duty in North Africa and in the Italian Campaign. He took part in amphibious landing on the beachhead at Anzio, Italy, and eventually, in the liberation of Rome from the German Armed Forces on June 4, 1944.

Rollin married his high school sweetheart, Betty Thompson, on November 11, 1945, in Winnebago, NE. They made their home in California for a short time, Winnebago, and then moved to South Sioux City, NE, in 1950. Over the years, Rollin worked in a number of Siouxland packing plants, including Swift and Company, Sioux City Dressed Beef, and Sioux City Dressed Pork. He also worked at R.V. Mitchell Distributing and Lane’s Bottling Company in Sioux City. Lastly, Rollin worked as a meter reader for the City of South Sioux City until his retirement.

Rollin loved nature and animals, and he was a kind, generous, soft-hearted man. He was fun-loving and had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed reading as well as traveling with his wife and best friend, Betty. Rollin will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

Survivors include a son, Tom (Deanna) Hunter of Omaha, NE; a daughter, Kathy (Larry) Lantz of South Sioux City, NE; three grandsons; five great-grandsons; a paternal half-sister, Marge (Van Cleave) Hedrick of Dakota City, NE; and a stepbrother, Donald Hunter of Clovis, CA.

Rollin was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 66 years, Betty, on March 13, 2012; two brothers; one sister; one paternal half-sister; one stepsister; and one stepbrother.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Siouxland, Regency Square Care Center, and friends for all their help and support throughout this difficult time.