Rolla Lusk Goodyear

Rolla Lusk Goodyear, 92, died July 13, 2011. Rolla was born on December 23, 1918, to William and Leona Lusk Goodyear, the youngest of 8 children. He graduated from Bushong High School and Strickland Business School in Topeka. Rolla served as a corporal in the 2nd infantry division from July 7, 1941 to September 30th 1945, in the European Theater, participated in D-Day invasion on Omaha Beach landing on day two and in the Battle of the Bulge. He received the Bronze Star and was honorably discharged. Rolla married Betty I. Olson on April 5, 1946 and remained faithful to her until her death on July 20, 1999. He worked in banking and farming, starting his career at Merchants National Bank in Topeka, then running the Reading State Bank in Reading, KS for nine years until he purchased Security State Bank of Auburn in 1960 and ran it until he retired to farming in 1983. Rolla was instrumental in the incorporation of Auburn and bringing in city of Topeka water, a sewer system and natural gas to the Auburn community. He was a founding member of the Auburn Lions Club which sponsored the establishment of the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of the mounted patrol of the Topeka Arab Shrine. Rolla was a member of Dover Federated Church. Rolla was part of that “greatest generation” who sacrificed much and worked hard. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents, his seven siblings and his wife of 53 years. He is survived by his children Lynda Kay Gimple (Kenneth), Topeka; Peggy Ann Caton (Bill) Auburn; and Rolla William Goodyear (Lisa), Southlake, TX; 8 grandchildren, Ryan, Stephen, Jennifer and Josie Gimple; Jerrod and Joshua Caton; Adam Goodyear and Ashly Goodyear- Pauley; and 5 great grandchildren. There will be a family visitation on Sunday July 17, 2011 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd., Topeka KS 66614. Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 18, 2011 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Dover Federated Church or Topeka Rescue Mission sent in care of the funeral home.

Rolla Lusk Goodyear

December 23, 1918 - July 17, 2011