Roland Pond

Roland William Pond, age 85, of Wilmot, SD, quietly laid his burden down at his home on May 15, 2020, in the company of his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Funeral services for Roland will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Wilmot. Visitation will be held at the Mundwiler Funeral Home – Faith Chapel in Wilmot from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20. Pastor Martin Herzberg will officiate the service and the interment will be in Wilmot Cemetery.

At this time, we are limiting visitation to 10 people at a time in our building and no more than 50 people to attend church services (please limit this to family only) to protect the health and safety of all as recommended by state and local authorities and the CDC. Expressions of sympathy during this time can be left on the condolences page available with the obituary on our website. Friends and family are welcome to drive in procession with the family after the service to Wilmot Cemetery and stay in or near their cars during the committal service.

Roland was born on May 31, 1934, in Wilmot to William L.E. Pond and Ebba (Swanson) Pond. He was the 11th of 12 children born from this union. His family later moved to Peever, S.D. In these two communities he spent his formative years enduring the hard times of the 1930s and 1940s. In spite of hardship, he spoke fondly as he reminisced of these times and believed hardship is the creator of character. He graduated from Peever High School in 1953.

He began his adult working life employed by the Milwaukee Railroad Company. He worked on and off for them through the early 1970s for a total of about 10 years. During his home visits he met Janice Pearl Tietjen in Wilmot. They were married a few years later in Perry, IA. on May 7, 1960.

In January 1957, Roland dutifully obligated himself to his conscription notice to report for induction into the United States Armed Forces. He served for a period of time in the U.S. Army and was released on hardship to be with his mother Ebba whose health was failing. He was subsequently called back for service later after his marriage and the birth of his first 2 sons. They moved to Colorado until his honorable discharge on Dec 31, 1962. Fortune and God’s will would have him see no combat.

After returning to Wilmot, he began his primary occupation as a custodian and maintenance person at the Wilmot school. He took strong ownership at this position and many teachers and administrators would promptly testify to his dedication and abilities. He continued working there until he was 75 years old although part time for several years. Roland also worked as a carpenter building two of his own homes in Wilmot, and for his brother Wendell in home construction. He did various odd construction jobs locally and built cabinets for a number of local homeowners.

Roland was preceded in death by his parents: William and Ebba Pond, brothers: Wendell, Harland, Charles, Delos, Merle, and Burnell (killed in action Korean War); sisters: Agnes Libby, Venoy Libby, Sheilah Tostenson, Wilma Kurrasch, and Rae Lehrke; son, John Roland Pond; and grandson, Jesse Ammann.

Roland leaves to mourn his passing his wife of 60 years, Janice, of Wilmot; his daughter, Lori (Jim) Ammann of Wilmot; four sons: Jeffrey (Janel) Pond of rural Tracy, MN.; Jason (Jackie) Pond of Milbank, SD; William (Hilutawin ) Pond of Wilmot; and Grant Pond of Wilmot; ten grandchildren: Andrew Robison of West Lafayette, IN.; Jackson, Bronson, Jolie, and Mandie Pond of Tracy, MN.; Justin, Austin, and Clint Pond of Milbank,SD; and Jacob and Kendra Ammann of Wilmot; three great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law: Alice Pond of Wilmot; and Valeria Pond of Milbank, SD; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Roland was a kind, gentle soul who appreciated the simple things in life. He was a hardworking man, with the roughest hands you ever shook. He had a great sense of humor and loved laughing. He treasured his children and grandchildren. He liked baseball, boxing, bluegrass music, mountains, woodworking, and visiting family and friends, but especially, he loved playing cards, not so much for winning, but for the time spent together. His advice “ keep it between the ditches” and “ don’t sweat the small stuff” was well taken. Until we meet again he will be sorely missed.