Jane Flora Rolle

On Sunday, December 15, we lost a wonderful, lovely woman named Jane F. Rolle, or Aunt Jane, as she was known by so many. Jane was born into the Rolle family on June 9, 1930, in Eveleth, Minnesota. She was the youngest of 4 children, joining her brothers Bernard, Glenn, and Dennis. Rising to a height of only 4’ 10”, Jane was a petite presence compared to her 3 strapping “hockey brothers”. Her nickname was “Fuzzy” due to her curly auburn hair. She often reflected later in life, “I was protected by my brothers and my brother’s friends, so I was always part of a group.”

While Jane didn’t have children of her own, her loving generosity as a devoted Auntie extended to her nieces and nephews, and their friends, and even neighborhood kids, all of whom called her “Aunt Jane”. As the years went on, her brother’s grandchildren and even great grandchildren knew and loved their Aunt Jane as well. We heard her say so many times “I love these kids as if they were my own”.

Jane graduated from Eveleth High School in 1948 and started her career at Oliver Mining Company. She finished her career at St. Louis County Courthouse in Duluth, retiring as a keypunch operator in 1995. In 1964, Jane and her parents moved to Duluth Minnesota’s Piedmont Heights area to be closer to two of her brothers. She lived in this home for 58 years before moving to Ecumen’s Assisted Living facility on London Road in Duluth.

Throughout her life, Aunt Jane was a positive life force touching everyone she met. Her sincerity and grace were a joy to behold, strengthened by her strong Christian faith and love of people. She offered pure kindness and unconditional love to anyone (but especially her family), and was the quickest to express gratitude, even in the hardest moments. Being around her meant you were going to be showered with kisses, adoration and proclamations of being loved “to the moon and back”. A long-time member of St. Lawrence Parish, she was an active volunteer, building a large network of friends at St. Lawrence and throughout the neighborhood. Everyone knew and loved “Aunt Jane”.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jennie and Lawrence; and her brothers, Bernard (Doris), Glenn (Dorothy), and Dennis (Audrey). Jane is survived by her nephews, Larry (Julie), Larry (Roxane), Phil (Brenda), Keith; nieces, Sally Gershon, Bernadine Rolle, Ann Rolle, and Nina Rolle (Mark Thorpe); as well as many grandnieces and nephews.

The family wants to share a special thank you to Ecumen’s memory care unit who provided wonderful care to Aunt Jane in the last years of her life and to Ecumen’s hospice unit for handling her last days with us with love and kindness.

Memorials may be made to the Ecumen Foundation in her name.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring.

Funeral arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home.