Sadie Roll

Insisting that she was ready to join her deceased husband, Sadie Loretta (Thompson) Roll, age 95, died at UW Hospital on Saturday, September 22, 2012 following a short but exhausting battle with pneumonia. Sadie was born at home in Fond du Lac county in Wisconsin on September 1, 1917.She was the third of six children and the oldest daughter of Frances M. (White) and William H. Thompson She grew up near Fond du Lac in a variety of households working as a nanny, domestic, or waitress after her parent's divorce when she was twelve. She graduated from Fond du Lac High School in 1935 and enjoyed her 75th class reunion. She attended Columbia Normal School to receive her teaching certificate and then taught for a year before marrying her husband of 64 years, Laverne (Vern) Roll on July 31, 1937. The couple eventually settled in Racine during WWII. While Vern designed tanks, Sadie designed three daughters. When the youngest went to kindergarten, Sadie went back to teaching in Racine County while earning a Bachelor of Education degree from Dominican College. She then embarked on a 24 year career in the Racine school system as a teacher, guidance, and social work counselor while earning her master's degree from UWM. After her retirement in 1984 she continued to be active in the Racine's Retired Teacher's Association. She loved to travel and began a family tradition of taking each of her grandchildren on a private trip when they reached the age of 13. She lived to see the first of her great grandchildren experience his trip with her eldest daughter. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist church which she attended religiously, teaching Sunday School, serving on committees, studying the Bible, serving on the UMW board, and enjoying adult fellowship activities. She also belonged to PEO and ARC. Shortly after enthusiastically celebrating her 95th birthday at seven different events with family, friends, neighbors, and fellow church members she complained that she felt "worn out" and began planning her funeral. She was subsequently diagnosed with the pneumonia that led to her final hospitalization. Sadie in survived by her daughters Lynn Frances (Dennis) Christensen, Madison, WI; Jean Marie (James) Gustin, Dallas, TX; and Nancy Carol (James) Peterson, Garland, TX; her grandchildren, Kimberly, Madison, WI; Steven (Julie), St. Paul, MN; Christine (David), Parker, CO.; Curtis (Kristin); Austin, TX.; Benjamin (Michelle), Cedar Park, TX.; and Melissa (Shamus), Houston, TX. She had ten great-grandchildren, Alex, Emma, Morgan, Amber, Michael, Nikolas, Carter, Corey, Peyton, and Kallee, and too many nieces, nephews, and friends to list separately, all of whom will miss her dearly. At Sadie's request there was a private family interment at West Lawn Memorial Park in Racine. A celebration of her life will be held at Christ Church, United Methodist, (5109 Washington Avenue, Racine, WI), on Monday, October 1. 2012. Visitation will be from 10-11:30 followed by her memorial service and lunch. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Christ Church.

Sadie Roll

September 1, 1917 - September 22, 2012