Catherine Rolczynski

On Thursday, May 22, 2014, Catherine Rolzinski closed her eyes and died peacefully in her lounge chair at her home on Woods Drive in Etna. Catherine was born on July 2, 1915, in New Rockford, N.D. She attended St. James Academy through her sophomore year, and graduated in 1934 from New Rockford Public High School. She worked at the New Rockford Telephone Office for nine years, starting as a telephone operator and advancing to the position of chief operator in charge of supervising and scheduling the other operators. Catherine married a New Rockford educator, Julian Rolzinski, on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 1942, a few months before he joined the U.S. Navy to serve in WW II. After the war, Catherine followed her husband to make homes for their family, where he accepted education administrative and teaching positions in Devils Lake and Mandan, N.D.; St. Cloud, Minn.; and Fort Jones, Upper Lake and Etna, Calif. Known for her lovely smile and youthful beauty, Catherine was fun-loving, had a good sense of humor, and was often up for a new adventure. She enjoyed making comfortable homes, dancing, playing cards, visiting friends, and keeping close relationships with her family. For many years, she would take summer trips back to New Rockford. One of her special trips was to visit her daughter in Washington, D.C., and to seek out some of the famous sights all on her own. The constant priorities throughout Catherine’s life were her family and her faith. She cherished her parents, her brothers and sisters and her immediate family. Catherine was committed to her parish churches wherever she lived. Since 1967, she had been a dedicated member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fort Jones, where in past years she was pleased to help clean the church. Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, Julian; her parents, Catherine and Rupert McQuillan; her seven brothers and sisters: Norma McQuillan, Ethel Scott, Floyd McQuillan, Les McQuillan, Veronica Wilde, Jack McQuillan and Harlan McQuillan; and her companion, Joe Vardanega. Catherine is survived by her daughters, Jane Rolzinski of Etna and Catherine A. Rolzinski of Ukiah, Calif.; and her son, Richard Rolzinski of Montague. Other family members include her grandsons: Troy Rolzinski (Eileen) of Fort Jones, and Travis Rolzinski of Yreka and his daughter, Kassidy; her step granddaughter, Jennifer Loge of Pleasanton, Calif., and her children Drake, Alexa and Garrett; and nieces and nephews around the country. Catherine leaves her family with many heartfelt memories. She will be missed very, very much. Catherine’s daughter, Jane, was her full-time caregiver, and she also enjoyed playing cards or Rummykub with her mother every night. The family owes Jane an enormous amount of gratitude for the loving care that she provided. A rosary service will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fort Jones. A Memorial Mass and celebration of life for Catherine will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Catherine Rolczynski

July 2, 1915 - May 22, 2014