Roland Dean Taylor was born September 4, 1945, in Estherville, Iowa. He passed away at 77 years old on April 2, 2023. Born to Wendell and Dorothy (Long) Taylor, Roland, and his siblings Roberta and Michael, were raised in the Terril area.
While attending Terril High School, Roland met his best friend, Gwen (Williams) Taylor. The two graduated from Terril High School in 1963. Roland went on to attend business school in Iowa City. On May 1, 1965, Roland and Gwen married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer, Iowa. They went on to have three children, Chris, Lisa, and Angie.
Roland farmed his whole life while simultaneously pursuing other passions. He began Roland Taylor Trucking in 1973, hauling livestock throughout Northwest Iowa for 12 years. In 1986 he began truck driving at Cycle Country and was ultimately promoted to plant manager. Roland discovered his love for the open road and traveling in his truck driving days. He shared that fondness with his family as they traveled throughout the country, experiencing history and making many memories.
Roland had many passions, from showing horses with family and friends and plowing fields to gardening and raising livestock with Gwen. He deeply enjoyed attending his grandkids’ many activities and cherished family gatherings. He was so very proud of his family. Beyond his deep love of family, Roland devoted much of his life to collecting and restoring his antique International Harvester tractors and equipment. He shared that love with family and friends through tractor shows, rides, and pulls. Whether it was a specific tractor ride or driving to the Albert City Threshermen Show, he logged many miles on his antique tractors. And out of the 22 KICD tractor rides, Roland only missed one!
As many know and love, Roland was an avid storyteller. He enjoyed talking with anyone and everyone. And, of course, he never met a stranger. Practical jokes were an everyday affair for Roland. If you ever found yourself at the center of one, you’d find yourself laughing, easily provoked by his contagious smile and distinctly Roland chuckle.
Throughout his life, Roland previously served for the Dickinson County Crime Stoppers and on the Dickinson County Fair Board. At the time of his passing, he was a director for the NW IA Classic Tractor Club and a proud member of and volunteered for the Albert City Threshermen & Collectors.
Roland is survived by an abundance of loved ones, including the love of his life, Gwen, of Terril; his son Chris Taylor of Milford, IA, daughter, Lisa (Kevin) Fahnlander of Royal, IA; and daughter, Angie (Nick) Smith of Webb, IA; his grandchildren: Spenser (Sara) Taylor, Tanner (Kirsten) Taylor, and Abby (Lukas) Forsling of the Lakes area; Mitch (Maria) Fahnlander of Royal, IA; Taylor Fahnlander of Saint Paul, MN; Jill Fahnlander of Lakeland, FL; Kally and Nicole Fahnlander of Royal, IA; Courtney (Grant) Middendorff of Sioux Falls, SD; Grant and Bryson Smith of Webb, IA; his great-grandchildren, Cal, Ada, and Tyce Taylor; Iva and Alice Forsling; Harrison and Elizabeth Middendorff, his siblings, Roberta (Gordon) Donaldson of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Mike (Shirley) Taylor of Lake Park, IA. His sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and many other beloved family members and friends.
Roland was predeceased by his parents, Wendell and Dorothy Taylor, his mother- and father-in-law, Norman and Ethel (Decker) Williams, two brothers-in-law, and other relatives and friends.
Services were held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Milford on Tuesday, April 11, following with a burial at Fairview Cemetery in Terril. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to create an agriculture- or tractor-related scholarship in Roland’s name.
Henry Olson Funeral Home of Estherville is assisting the family with arrangements, online condolences for the family may be left at www.henryolsonfuneral.com.