Russell Scott Rollo

Russell Scott Rollo, age 68, of Aberdeen, South Dakota, passed away at Mother Joseph Manor on Wednesday, July 29, 2025. He had been in hospice care for an extended period due to complications of diabetes.

A memorial service will be held at Aldersgate Church, Aberdeen, in the fall to honor his memory.

Burial will take place at the Ellendale City Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all contributions be directed to the American Diabetes Association at https://diabetes.org/ways-to-give/by-mail.

Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Following the service, services will be recorded and posted on Schriver's website following the service.

Russ was born on April 1, 1957, in Ellendale, ND, to Clifford and Bernice (Berntson) Rollo. He grew up in Frederick, SD, where he spent his youth and graduated with the Elm Valley Class of 1975.

Russ played the bass horn in the high school band and sang in choirs at school and church. He was active in Methodist Youth Fellowship activities, too.

After high school, he attended the University of South Dakota and Northern State Teachers' College, where he studied business administration.

Russ worked for an extended period at the Ponderosa Tavern in Frederick and on road construction in eastern Colorado. Subsequently, he worked in healthcare at Aberdeen Health and Rehabilitation Center, the Ellendale Nursing Center, and Eventide Care Center in Devils Lake, ND. He also managed a recreation center in Hosmer, SD.

Russ was always well-liked and respected for his common sense, general knowledge, and "can-do" spirit. He had myriad friends everywhere, and all remembered him fondly. He was kind, considerate, practical, and no-nonsense.

Russ married Josephine and assisted in raising her son, Roger. They had no children together. They relished their time and work but parted ways.

For many years, Russ was the primary home health caretaker for our mother, Bernice Rollo, a well-known and respected teacher in the Elm Valley School District. He enabled our mother to remain at home well into her late 90s, until both failed in health and moved to residential care.

Russ had a lifelong interest in information and self-education. He read voraciously, particularly history and historic fiction, and developed an interest in professional football in later years; although, he had never participated in athletics. He enjoyed both new and old television programming.

Unlike the rest of his nuclear family, he had an innate skill for carpentry and do-it-yourself work and repair.

Russ was always there to help those in need in rough times, without being asked, and expected nothing other than the satisfaction of having done his bit.

Russ is survived by his older sister, Cynthea Rollo; and older brother, Michael Rollo, of Waukesha, WI; aunt, Mary Fisher of St. Paul, MN; Marilyn Berntson of Castlewood, MN, like a dear sister, provided for his needs while in residential care; and niece, Leahna Rollo of Atlanta, along with sundry Berntson, Retzlaff, Rollo, Oliason, Stevens, and Fisher cousins of Minnesota, the Dakotas, Texas, Michigan, and California.

Russ was preceded in death by his parents; all grandparents; sister, Royalyn Rollo North; and many aunts and uncles.