Dale "Mike" M. Rollings

Dale “Mike” Michael Rollings, age 78, of Dalton, NE passed away at Sidney Regional Medical Center on Monday, January 20, 2025. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the United Church of the Plains in Dalton, NE with Pastor Leon “Bud” Gillespie officiating. Lunch will be served following the service. Inurnment will be in Minnesota at a later date. Services will be livestreamed on the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel Facebook page and recorded for later viewing on our website. Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel to leave condolences for the family.
You may view Dale’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Dale’s care and funeral arrangements.
Dale “Mike” Michael Rollings was born on October 27, 1946, to Dale and "Toddy" Rollings. He was raised in Minnesota, on the family farm in Garden City, with his 3 younger siblings. In 1964, he graduated from Garden City High School and set off to serve our country by joining the United States Marine Corps. He began service in 1966 and was deployed to Vietnam at the age of 21. He proudly served as a Crew Chief of the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 (HMM-364), more commonly known as the “Purple Foxes.” He quickly earned the rank of Sergeant. After returning home, he married his high school sweetheart Carol in January of 1969. They were later blessed with 3 children: Holly (died after childbirth) Stephenie and Steven. In 1975 he graduated with a degree from Mankato State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He taught 2 years in Winner, SD and then moved to Belle Creek, MT and retired after 25 years. He started out as the 7th & 8th grade teacher then also became; superintendent, principal, taught K-6th, art, PE, music and took care of the school and gym maintenance. Once Mr. Rollings retired, the rural school closed its doors. Still today, his students talk about his teaching antics & the impact he made on their lives. "If you didn't learn respect at home, you did in Mr. Rollings' Classroom!"
Mike's favorite pastime was the Great Outdoors: hunting, fishing, shooting anything he could load, making orienteering courses, and sitting around campfires telling stories.
Monumental moments of his life:
- In 1981 Carol and Mike took a hunting trip to AK, guided by Carol's Brother Ed. All three bagged ducks, geese, and trophy caribou.
- In 2015 United States Marine Corps honored Mike during "The Final Flight CH-46 “Phrog” Tail #153369," along those who served in it. Mike was the first Crew Chief of this helicopter, and it resides in the National Museum of the US Marine Corps.
- In 2019 Mike, Carol, and daughter traveled to Hill AFB UT to see their son retire after 21 yrs of service in the USAF. Mike saluted Master Sergeant Steven M. Rollings for his service and was overwhelmed with pride.
- In 2000 Mike and Carol moved to Dalton, NE where he became a Cabela's Product Specialist retiring from Cabela's in 2013 residing in Dalton, NE.
- In 2023 Mike was honored for his service receiving a Quilt of Valor at the annual Dalton Leyton High School Veterans Service.
Mike always showed his patriotism wearing flagged suspenders, military caps and flew Old Glory high. Mike had many titles, his FAVORITE was "Papa" given to him by his six grandchildren. In his last days he fought like hell until traveling family arrived. Mike put his family first, comforting them with humor, singing, telling stories, making sure things were in order, and even shooting a few bulls-eyes with a rubber band gun from his hospital bed. He completed his bucket list seeing President Trump get sworn in and listened to Carrie Underwood sing "America the Beautiful". Moments later, Mike said; “I am ready and pointed to the sky. I know Trump will take care of you. Don't cry for me, I have had a good life. Now GO PARTY!"
Mike is survived by wife Carol (Habeger), daughter Stephenie and husband Jason Rose of Winnebago, MN and their 3 children: Trevor and wife Alyssa Rose of Blue Earth, MN, Trenton and Lindsey Rose of Winnebago, MN, son Steven and wife Shellsey Rollings of Mountain Green, UT and their 3 children: Emma, Gaven and Oliver Rollings, siblings Pat and husband Mike Robins of Pinetop, AZ, Nancy Schwamberger of Mankato, MN, and sister-in-law Jan Rollings of Springfield, OR, many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by Mike's parents Dale & Elizabeth "Toddy" (Swedberg) Rollings, brother David Rollings, brother-in-law Steven Schwamberger, daughter Holly Rollings and his faithful 4-legged hunting partners.