Monty L. Rollag died suddenly on June 10 at Whidbey General Hospital at the age of 71.
His parents moved from North Dakota to Portland when his father took a job as a steelworker in the shipyards. He was born Oct. 10, 1943, in Portland to Leonard and Genevieve Rollag.
At age 13, Monty moved with his family to Oak Harbor when his father was hired as a partner at Maylor Ford Sales.
Monty attended Oak Harbor High School, graduating with the class of 1961. He was married to the former Donna Reierson of Oak Harbor.
Following graduation, Monty went to work for his uncle, Lester Rollag, at Westside Auto Rebuild, repairing and painting cars.
Twenty years later, he purchased the shop, which he operated until retirement in 2008.
Monty was a homebody. He loved working at home, taking care of gardening chores and riding his John Deere tractor. He was a huge fan of music from the ’50s and ’60s.
Monty was a charter member or the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge #2362, as were his father and father-in-law.
He loved sports, including football and baseball, and was an avid fan of both the Seahawks and the Huskies. One of the highlights in his life was knowing his grandson Payton will be attending the University of Washington.
Monty is survived by his wife Donna; two sons, Vince Rollag of Dickinson, North Dakota and Lance Rollag of Oak Harbor; one sister, Linda Lee Jennerjohn and husband, Paul, of Oak Harbor; five grandchildren, Ryan S. Thompson, Jenessa S. Schmaus, Payton N. Rollag, Max H. Rollag and Paxton L. L. Rollag; and one great-grandchild, Parker S. Thompson. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Rosemary Reierson; his sister-in-law, Phyllis Sprague (Don); his brothers-in-law, Al Reierson (Vickie), Rich Reierson and Keith Reierson (Robin Shirey); and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and by one brother, Harry L. Rollag.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, June 22, at Wallin Funeral Home in Oak Harbor with Linda Haddon serving as Life Celebrant. Graveside committal services will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Viewing for family and friends will be from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday. Following the graveside services, a reception for family and friends will follow at the Oak Harbor Yacht Club.
Memorials may be made to the Washington State Elks Therapy Program for Children, PO Box 110760, Tacoma, WA 98411-0760, to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research, PO Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-03039 or a charity of your choice.
Please visit Monty’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories or condolences. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, LLC., Oak Harbor.
