Roland "Rolly" Utzinger

Roland “Rolly” Utzinger, passed away peacefully at home in Mankato, MN on May 6, 2026, at the age of 96.

Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Hilltop United Methodist Church, Mankato, with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be held at a later date in Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato. Livestream of the service will be available at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Rolly was born on July 6, 1929 in Duluth Minnesota to Earl and Alma Utzinger, joining his big brother Harold. The family was completed in 1934 when his beloved sister Joyce was born.

The family moved frequently as Rolly’s father served as pastor for the Evangelical United Methodist Church of Minnesota. During Rolly’s youth his father served churches in Duluth, Waseca, St. Paul and Brainerd. Rolly was quite an athlete and played varsity football for three years at Brainerd High School where he graduated in 1947.

After finishing high school Rolly attended Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa and graduated there in 1951. At Westmar, he continued to play football, playing on the varsity team for four years. During his sophomore year he met the love of his life, Zada Maxson. They were married on December, 26 1951. Rolly then attended the University of South Dakota where he earned his Master Degree in Education.

He enlisted in the Naval Air Force and attended Officer’s Candidate School in Norfolk, Virginia. After finishing OCS he was assigned to a base in Jacksonville, Florida. On Dec. 9, 1954 Rolly and Zada’s first child, Nancy Joyce was born. During his service in the military, he had the privilege of traveling to many places. On September 29, 1955, while he was serving in North Africa, he received word that his second daughter, Judy Ann was born. In 1956 he was discharged from military service and he and Zada moved to Jordan, MN where he taught and coached. The family welcomed their third daughter Linda Lucille on March 8, 1957. Their next move was to Faribault, Mn. where Rolly served as assistant principal of a junior high school. The last of a quartet of daughters, Joan Marie, was born in Faribault on October 16, 1959. In the summer of ‘62 the family moved to Mankato. Rolly took his first job with School District 77 as principal of Franklin School. On January 22, 1963 Rolly and Zada welcomed their son David John to the now complete family. Rolly wore many hats in his time with the school district, spearheading the bond issue regarding the building of Mankato East High School and later becoming Assistant Superintendent.

Rolly was honored to continue his service to our country for 20 plus years as a member of the United States Naval Reserve reaching the rank of Captain. His unit NAIRU V-3 was based out of Minneapolis.

His faith and his family were his cornerstones. He was a member of Hilltop United Methodist Church and served his church in many ways through-out his life. Rolly was also very involved with many civic groups in Mankato. He was a member of the United Board Fund, the Y’s Men’s Club, served as board president for the YMCA and as President of the Rotary Club.

Rolly was a loving husband, a kind father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a faithful friend.

He is survived by his wife Zada; four daughters, Nancy Heinze, Judy (John) Harrington, Linda (Larry) Ward, Joan (Jeff) Corman; son, David (Mary) Utzinger, and Rotary exchange daughter, Geles Herrero de Banda; grandchildren, Dave Simonett, Laura (Corman) Osterhoudt, Alicia (Ward) Reiners, Jenny (Simonett) Barthel, Matthew Corman, Matthew Ward , Michael Harrington, Nick Ward, Nathan Heinze, Jillian (Utzinger) Slindee, Rachel Heinze, Adam Utzinger and Lisa (Corman) Torbenson; great-grandchildren, Austin, Wyatt, Isabelle, Harper and Chase Reiners, Lucy and Jack Simonett and Eden Avila, Jake, Vinny and Eddie Barthel, Wyatt and Dylan Harrington, Henry, Harrison, Eli and June Ward, Quinn, Holden, Ivy, and Piper Ward, Nolan Heinze.

He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Robert Heinze, and great-grandson, Thomas Ward.

The family offers heartfelt thanks to the staff at Pillars of Mankato and Moments Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Hilltop United Methodist Church, or Lake Koronis Assembly Grounds, Paynesville, MN.