Alice Rohloff

MARY ALICE MADELINE O'HEARN ROHLOFF was born at her parent’s farm home 3.5 miles south of Woodstock, MN on June 19, 1911. She was the second child of three children that would be born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Ryan) O’Hearn. Her sister, Mabel O’Hearn (Harold Nissen), was born just 11 months earlier, (August 1, 1910), and passed away in February 2011, at the age of 100 years and 6 months. Her brother, Edwin, (Etta Heidebrink) was born September 18, 1916 and passed away in July 1987.

She was raised on the farm and attended rural school, which was located across from the farm through 8th grade. She then attended the high school in Woodstock for three years and her senior year in Edgerton, MN, graduating in 1928. After she finished high school she chose one of the three professions available to women in 1928, a school teacher, nurse or nun. She chose teaching and her sister chose nursing.

She attended Mankato Teachers College in Mankato, MN, and graduated in 1931. Alice began her teaching career at a rural school near Ruthton and eventually taught in rural schools around the Woodstock area.

She took a hiatus from teaching in January 1942, and took the train to San Diego, CA, to join her sister and brother-in-law to work in an airplane factory during WWII. She met Peter Rohloff at a dance that was being given to everyone from Minnesota. Pete was in the Marine’s and stationed at Miramar, in San Diego. He was originally from Waconia, MN.

On June 16, 1945 she and Peter were married at the cathedral in San Diego. He was discharged later that year and they moved to Woodstock and purchased a small gas station. They added onto the structure and started Rohloff’s Service. Alice went back teaching for the Pipestone school district and continued until 1976. She taught at the “new” Woodstock Elementary that was opened in December 1956 until it closed in the early 1970’s.

After retirement they bought a motor home and traveled to Apache Junction, AZ for twelve winters. In November 2007 Pete and Alice moved to Falls Landing assisted living center in Pipestone and moved together to The Gardens of St. Gertrude in Shakopee in November 2010. Peter passed away on November 8, 2010. Alice remained there until January 3, 2012, when she passed away peacefully at the age of 100 years, 6 months and 15 days.

Alice was a member of St. Martin Catholic Church in Woodstock, MN. She especially enjoyed dancing with her husband Peter or anyone who she could convince to dance! She was very proud of her Irish heritage and would let everyone know she was 100% genuine! She enjoyed leading the St. Patrick Parade in Woodstock for several years, with the sign: 100% Irish!

Alice is lovingly remembered by her son, Larry Rohloff and his wife Barb of Buckeye, AZ; her daughter, Colleen Christ and her husband Mark of Prior Lake, MN; four grandchildren, Ryan Rohloff and his wife Jen of Long Lake, MN, Joe Rohloff and his wife Allison of Minneapolis, MN, Erin Christ and fianc Mark Krawiecki of Mound, MN, and Meagan Magnin and her husband Troy of Appleton, WI; two great-grandchildren, Delaney Christ-Benke and Jack Magnin; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter; parents; brother and sister-in-law, Edwin and Etta O’Hearn; sister and brother-in-law, Mabel and Harold Nissen; brother and sister-in-law, Harry and Bernice Rohloff; and sister-in-law, Marie Noll.