Rolf Oscar Thingelstad

Rolf Oscar Thingelstad, formerly of Tonawanda, NY and Norway, died at home in Shawnee, KS on Jan 14, 2006 after a lengthy illness and fifty six years after he immigrated to the United States. He was born June 23, 1928 in Halingdal, Norway, a son of Tilla (Fogstad) and Torvald Thingelstad. At nineteen, he left his home in Svelvik and set sail for the United States. After signing a Declaration of Intent to Become a Citizen, he was drafted into the Pennsylvania National Guard and served in the Armed Forces in Germany as part of the WWII post-occupational force during the Korean War. Rolf found his assignment highly ironic, considering as a boy he lived under German occupation of his country. Although he never forgot Norway, and went back often to visit his family of origin, in 1954, he became a naturalized citizen and, as he said, "Proud to be an American." In 1974, he and his wife moved to Shawnee where he owned a successful contracting company, Heritage Contractors. His business motto, "Old fashioned pride in quality work." served him for twenty years while he worked on many homes in our area. Rolf served as president of the Hope Lutheran Church men's club, longtime member of Shawnee Optimist Club, and a ten-year volunteer for Shawnee Community Services. He is preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Kaare and Trygve. He is survived by his wife of fifty-three years, R. Marie (Pennay) of Laceyville, PA; sister Hjordis Kvillhaug, Norway; brother Ola Thingelstad, Norway; son Ola Rolf Thingelstad, Houston, TX; daughters: Karen Hutten and Cindy Norris, both of Shawnee, Nancy Schweikhard, Ventura, CA, and Anne Blackburn, Arvada, CO; grandchildren: grand-sons, Troy Norris, San Anto-nio, TX, who recently served with the Army in Iraq, Brady Blackburn, and Nicolas Schweikhard; Granddaughters: Abigayle (Hutten) Tobias, Corey Hutten, Rachel Schweikhard, Kirsten Norris, Erika Norris, Emely Norris and Bethany Blackburn, and a great-grandchild, due in May, and several nieces and nephews in Norway and in the United States. Memorial Services will be 10:00 AM, Wednesday, January 18, 2006, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. On his birthday in June, Rolf's ashes will be interned in the Veterans National Cemetery in Leavenworth, KS, when his beloved wife and family will gather to celebrate his life. Condolences may be made at www.amosfamily.com (arrangements: Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee 913-631-5566)