John Dittmar Rolf

Reverend John Dittmar Rolf, age 96, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 29, 2026. Born on May 14, 1930, in Cologne, Minnesota, John's life was a testament to God's grace, faithful service, and enduring love for others.

John was raised on the family farm near Norwood, Minnesota, where he learned the values that shaped his life; faith in Christ, love of family, hard work, laughter, and fellowship. After graduating from St. John's College in Winfield, Kansas, he attended the Lutheran Seminary in Springfield, Illinois. During his vicarage in Minot, North Dakota, he met Helen Schultz. The two fell in love and were married on June 26, 1955.

Following seminary, Pastor Rolf served congregations in Hinckley and Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. In 1965, he accepted the call to Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church, faithfully serving there until his retirement in June 1993.

His beloved wife, Helen, passed away from a long battle with cancer in 1986. A few years later he met a new love in his life, Teressa Palizzi, and they were married in March 1992. Together they shared many blessed years. Even after retirement, Pastor Rolf continued serving area congregations and ministering to people in need well into his 80s, answering God's call wherever he was needed.

John will be remembered for his caring heart, encouraging spirit, warm sense of humor, unwavering faith and fondness for the daily crossword puzzle. His greatest desire was to be a good neighbor, nurture others faith, and inspire others to serve their neighbors with love and compassion.

He is survived by his wife, Teressa Palizzi Rolf; his sister, Eunice Neidhold; and the four children he shared with his first wife, Helen: Pam (John) Hahn, Laura (Doug) Escue, John Mark (Randall) Rolf, and Steven (Marilyn) Rolf. He was a proud grandfather to Paul Hahn, Eric Hahn, Nicholas (Andrea) Gordon, Brian Rolf, Lisa (Pat Konda) Rolf, Nathan (Amy) Escue, and Samuel Escue, and a cherished great-grandfather to Parker Escue, Jackson Escue, Charlotte Gordon, and Ethan Gordon.

He is also survived by Teressa's children, Kathy (Steve) Gardner, Juliann (David) Riley, Anthony (Elizabeth) Palizzi, Linda (Charlie) Kercheval, and daughter-in-law Jeanette, wife of the late Tom Palizzi, along with Teressa’s nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Rolf; his parents, Victor and Paula Rolf; his brother, Victor Rolf; brother-in-law Fred Neidhold; and sister-in-law Jeanette Rolf

Pastor Rolf faithfully proclaimed the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ throughout his ministry. We give thanks to God for his compassionate heart, faithful witness, and the many lives he touched. Though he will be deeply missed, we rejoice in the assurance that he now rests in the presence of the Savior he so faithfully served.

A funeral service will be held Friday, August 7th at 11:00 a.m. at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church; 8600 W 38th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO.

Memorials in honor of Pastor John Rolf may be directed to the Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, which he was instrumental in establishing to provide lasting support for ministries serving those in need throughout the world.