Sylvia Joan Walter Rollins
September 11, 1937 - August 15, 2024
Sylvia Joan (Walter) Rollins, 86 years of age, passed away August 15, 2024, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Blair, Nebraska. Sylvia was born September 11, 1937, to Donald E. and Freida K. (Seltz) Walter in Decatur, Nebraska. She was one of four children.
Sylvia attended Elm Creek School and graduated in 1954 from Decatur High School. Shortly after graduation, she married Gene Rollins on July 28, 1957, in Decatur, Nebraska. From this union, their son, Kyle, was born, the apple of her eye. Her early married life was spent in Los Angeles, California. There she worked at Bank of America. They moved back home to Decatur, where she then followed her banking career to Onawa State Bank. After taking a few years off to raise Kyle, she ended her 34-year banking career at Burt County State Bank in 2000.
Sylvia was an active member of the Decatur Fire Belles, on the Tekamah Housing Authority board, supporter of the VFW, and a league bowler. She was very involved with her church, Church of Jesus Christ Decatur Restoration Branch, where she also sang in the choir.
You could always find Sylvia in the kitchen, with a cup of coffee, whipping something up, or playing cards with her girlfriends. She is well known for several of her famous recipes. Nothing was more enjoyable for Sylvia than a trip to Vegas with Gene, Dean, and Wilma. Everyone who knew Sylvia enjoyed her; she was truly a delight.
Her grandchildren Cole and Malory meant the world to her. Sylvia loved family gatherings, especially when she hosted Easter dinner and put on a giant egg hunt for the kids.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene; sister and brother-in-law, Mary Jane and Harold Hayes; brother-in-law, Dean Hightree; brother, Joe Walter, and her parents. Sylvia is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Kyle and Kristy Rollins of Blair; grandchildren, Cole and Malory Rollins; sister, Wilma Hightree of Whiting, IA; sisters-in-law, Janice Scripter of West Point, Marleen Barta of Omaha, and Sue (Bruce) Whittier of Maryland; and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Information taken from the May 30, 2004 Decatur Alumni Banquet booklet
Spouse: Gene
Children/Grandchildren: 1 son, Kyle; daughter-in-law, Kristy;
Grandson, Cole, 8 months
After graduation, I spent 2 years with Mary and Russ Johnson. When they moved to Omaha, I did too, where I attended Burroughs Business School taking a course in banking. The 1st National Bank of Omaha was my first job.
In July 1957 I married Gene Rollins and we made our home in Los Angeles, CA where I spent 5 years with the Bank of America. In 1962 we returned to Decatur. My next 13 years was spent with Onawa State Bank, driving three years from Tekamah.
1975 was a grand year as we were blessed with a son after nearly 18 years of marriage. Nine years later, I joined the Burt County State Bank in Tekamah retiring in December of 1999. I'm still working part time! I'm a grandmother now, so have several days to help spoil him. I finally took up golf and we have a good time on the greens! It will be fun to see classmates after 50 years!
