Roland Ewert

Roland Roman Ewert

Roland Roman Ewert, 103, of Freeman, South Dakota, passed away peacefully at Oakview Terrace in Freeman, South Dakota, on May 6, 2026. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, May 17, at Bethesda Church of rural Marion with visitation preceding the service from 1-2 pm. Burial will be at the Rose Hill Cemetery in McCook County. Memorial monies will be donated to Avera McKennan Volunteer Services.

Roland was born to Peter S. and Susanna (Berg) Ewert at the Ewert farm near Dolton, South Dakota, on 24 January 1923. He attended grades 1-8 in McCook County, SD, first completing grades 1-4 in Grant Township School No. 3 (also called Riverside School) and then grades 5-8 in the then new Grant Township school, graduating on 4 June 1937. Roland completed his education at Freeman High School, receiving his diploma on 22 May 1942. On 3 October 1939, Roland was baptized by Rev. J. A. Tieszen upon confession of his faith and received as a member of the Bethel Mennonite Church in rural Marion, South Dakota.

After graduation, Roland farmed with his father, Peter, for four years. During this time, he also rented and farmed some land of his own and worked on harvesting crews in South Dakota and Washington. In 1946, after his father retired, Roland began farming on his own. The Ewert farm consisted of cropland and pasture as well as chickens, dairy cows, pigs, and a large garden for personal use. Later, Roland and his sister Ada built and maintained a dairy herd producing milk to sell. In 1969 they built a new, modern dairy parlor; they operated their dairy until the late 1980s, receiving quality production awards from Land O’Lakes in 1979, 1983, and 1984.

Roland and Ada stayed on at the farm after their retirement from fulltime farming. They maintained a sizeable garden and popcorn patch, sharing the produce with neighbors and friends. In the late 1990s, Roland and Ada moved to the Parker Assisted Living Center in Parker, South Dakota, and lived there for a few months. They then returned to the home farm and resided there until they moved to Freeman, South Dakota in 1999. Following Ada’s death in 2002, Roland continued to live in Freeman, moving to the Salem Mennonite Home in 2007 and then Oakview Terrace in 2017 where he resided until the time of his death.

While Roland was single throughout his life, he lived a full life with many happy, fulfilling relationships and interests. Growing up, he spent much time with his many Ewert and Berg cousins who lived nearby. As a young man, he traveled to California twice to visit cousins who had relocated there. He enjoyed serving as an usher and singing in the choir at Bethel Mennonite and was on the Rosehill Cemetery board. Roland was a skilled mechanic, welder, and carpenter who made numerous improvements to the farm over the years. In his early 70s, Roland became acquainted with personal computers and adept at using his for information, email, and connecting to Christian ministries online. In 2001, Roland restored his father’s 1949 blue Chevy pickup. He subsequently drove the pickup in nearby town parades, sometimes inviting his 1942 high school classmates to ride along in the bed of the pickup.

Roland was intentionally generous to family and friends and served the community in numerous ways. Of special note are the many years Roland volunteered at Avera McKennan Hospital as a patient escort; he began volunteering in 1989, and in May 2000 was recognized for contributing 2400 service hours. This work was recognized at a national level by a letter received from President George W. Bush congratulating Roland on being a recipient of The President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Roland was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Adolphine “Ada” Ewert, his sister and br0ther-in-law Amanda (David) Nickel, and his brother and sister-in-law Elmer (Marie) Ewert. Survivors include his nieces and nephews: Brenda Ewert of Bothell, WA; Sheryl Ewert of Tea, SD; Donna M. (Chris K.) Johnson of Marion, SD; Kenneth W. Nickel of St. Croix Falls, WI; Susan E. (Loren) Faul of Rogers, AR; ten great-nieces and great-nephews; and numerous great-great nieces and great-great nephews.