Roland Lee Wise was born January 31, 1932, to Walter Blocker and Mary Etta (Driver) Wise at Modesto, CA. Roland lived most of his life in the Modesto, Upper Lake, and Watsonville, CA areas. He moved to Quinter in January of 2009 spending the last two years with his family there. Roland died at his home in Quinter on November 13, 2011. His passing was peaceful. The number of his days were almost 4 score years, a subject that had been on his mind for the past several months.


Roland grew up in rural Modesto, attended Ransom Grade School and Modesto High School. On July 12, 1952, he married Ruthanne Beckner of Ohio. They were blessed with four children, Brenton, Mary, who died at birth, Monte, who died January 14, 1990, and Matthew. Dad married June Wade of Upper Lake, CA on March 28, 1970. This union was blessed with one daughter, Amy Maryetta. Following the death of his previous companions, he married Mary Ann (Blickenstaff) Gormley in 2004. Dad and Mary Ann grew up together in the Old German Baptist Church. Dad was a farmer, salesman, flower lover, handyman, and in later years, an avid vegetable grower.

Although his life was one of change and sometimes heartaches, he was baptized in the Tuolumne River on November 2009 by Minister Tracy Wolfe. His Christian conversion was unexpected for a man of 77 years. The eleventh hour was close, but Dad chose life while the hand of God stretched out still. His worlds to us on the day before his baptism was, "I want to go to heaven and see Jesus." Don't we all desire to meet Jesus in peace?


The last two years at Quinter were filled with new friends, new places and the renewing of childhood acquaintances. Marvin and Morya Bauman spent many evenings with him. Dad and Marvin played chess and talked of old times growing up together in California. The new acquaintances were his great-grandchildren who came to know him as "Great-Grandpa Wise." Dad loved to eat and spent many noon meals at the Quinter Senior Citizens Center enjoying the fellowship of small town America.


He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Mary; wives, Ruthanne, June, and Mary Ann Wise; sister and brother-in-law, Glenna and Hubert Flora; and many loving relatives of the Driver and Wise families.

He is survived by two sons, Brenton and Julie Wise of Quinter, Matthew and Dana Wise of Ellensburg, WA; a daughter, Amy and Chris Heller of Santa Rosa, CA; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two nephews, Jon and Bev, and Rod and Maureen Flora of Modesto, CA.


Someday when the Son calls forth the redeemed, we shall rejoice in everlasting glory for all eternity.


John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, even to those who believe in Him.


Brenton and Matthew Wise

Visitation for Roland will be 6-8 PM Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at Brenton Wise home in Quinter. Services will be 10:00 AM Thursday, November 17, 2011 at Schmitt Funeral Home in Quinter, KS. Interment is in Big Creek Cemetery south of Quinter.