Rowland Geist | 1944 - 2022
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Dec 22, 2022 | 9:19 AM / 902 views
Rowland Geist, 78 Tolstoy, SD died Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at Bismarck, ND.
Rowland Alvin Geist, son Alvin and Anna (Trefz) Geist, was born September 27, 1944 at Hoven, SD. He was raised, along with his sister Charlotte (Barth), at the family farm a mile and half east of Tolstoy. He attended Tolstoy Elementary School through eighth grade. Rowland attended Hoven High School, graduating with the class of 1962. After graduating high school, he studied at Universal Technical Institute in Wahpeton ND, earning a degree in Diesel Mechanics. After graduating he returned to Tolstoy to take over operations of the family farm. Rowland married Raylene Hall at Seneca, SD June 3, 1967. The newly married couple settled on the family farm until 1970 when they moved into the town of Tolstoy.
Aside from operating a farm Rowland also ran Geist Welding and Repair, a fabricating and repair business. In his spare time, he was active in the local bowling league. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, gunsmithing, and restoring vintage tractors.
On August 6, 2010 Rowland married Nita Tibke of Bismarck. Upon retiring from farming in 2015 he and Nita started traveling to many different locations including Russia and Italy, and most recently a trip to Lake Superior as well as many trips to see family and friends across the country. These trips included their annual trek to Medora ND to celebrate Rowland and Nita’s wedding anniversary.
Rowland will always be remembered for his infectious laugh, his love of Pepsi Cola, and as a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by Nita, his wife of 12 years; 1 daughter Kim (Lauren) Oster of Bowdle; 1 son Allen (Shelly) of Papillion NE; 4 grandchildren Casey Oster (Taylor Stotz) of Bowdle; Halley Geist (Henry Mitchell) of Pensacola, FL; Kylie Geist of Papillion; Derek Geist of Papillion; Nita’s children Shelly (George) Ward of Hayden ID; Jon (Sabrina) Tibke of North Bend WA.
Rowland was preceded in death by his father, Alvin, on December 11, 1964; his mother, Anna, on December 8, 1969; his wife, Raylene, on May 13, 2008; and his sister, Charlotte Barth, on July 29, 2014.
Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, December 29, 2022 at the Tolstoy United Methodist Church led by Pastor Seth Duncan. Organist will be Nancy Trefz and the congregation will sing “Amazing Grace, how Sweet the Sound” and “Blessed Assurance”. Ushers will be Vern Snow and Jeff Stoecker.
Casketbearers will be grandsons Casey and Derek, Dick Stotz of Tolstoy, Jeff Delker and Travis Delker of Dell Rapids, SD and Jack Nold of Onaka, SD.
Visitation commences 5:00 PM Wednesday at the funeral home with a 7:00 PM prayer service.
Lien Funeral Home of Bowdle is in charge of arrangements.