Still Giving Back to the Community

RANDOLPH — Fred and Beulah Rokahr were always thinking about how they could help their Randolph friends and neighbors.

That legacy continues even today after their deaths.

Their children, Everett Rokahr of Omaha and Linda (Rokahr) Wells of Norfolk, decided the proceeds from their mother’s estate sale should benefit younger generations of Randolph residents. Those proceeds will all go to the Randolph Community Food Pantry and Randolph Volunteer Fire Department.

Any of the items bought will mean money in the pocket of these two community essential services.

“Our intent is to give back to the community that we felt assisted our Mom and Dad,’’ said Linda. “This was a good way to do that and in a small way to say thanks for the community’s support of my Mom and Dad.’’

Their mother had a strength and tenacity for life that benefited so many organizations as she took on varied leadership roles, such as becoming the first woman to serve on the school board in Randolph. 

Fred and Beulah Rokahr, both played significant roles in the community of Randolph for decades even though they were both born and raised on farms near Creighton.

Beulah graduated as valedictorian from Creighton High School in 1946 and attended Wayne State College. Fred attended two years of high school at Creighton until his father was hurt. Fred had to quit high school to work on the farm. He later entered the Navy near the end of World War II. Fred sustained an injury to his leg while working on the farm after the war in 1954.

The two were married in Vermillion. S.D.  on Aug. 7, 1948. He and his bride farmed near Creighton from 1948 to 1959.

They bought the John Deere dealership in Randolph from Ed Burbach March 1,1959. 

Growing up, Linda  said she and her brother both worked at the dealership.

"There was a learning curve,'' she said. "We became acquainted with people who came into the shop. It was always interesting when the female partner came in and knew just as much about what was necessary as her husband.''

Everett said he didn't know about machinery at first, but learned a great deal from the guys that worked for his father.

"It was always fun getting to know customers,'' he said. "It was fun to watch our parents do their jobs. They were good at them. They tried to run a very good business. People wanted to come in when my Mom was there because she always knew right where everything was without looking it up.''

Both Rokahr children graduated from Randolph Public Schools and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Everett taught school in Ralston for 35 years.

Linda earned a degree in food nutrition and dietetics, the branch of knowledge concerned with the diet and its effects on health, especially with the practical application of a scientific understanding of nutrition.

Linda was married to the now late Mike Wells in 1976. They have two children, Amy and Eric. The Wells family lived in Randolph for eight years.

"We had the security of being able to run around Randolph in those days,'' Linda said. "We participated in so much. In a small school everyone participates or it doesn't happen. It was a very positive experience. Our Dad and Mom spent their adult lives in Randolph. They were very involved in a lot of different groups in Randolph.''

Everett married Barbara Slater in 1972 and they also had two children, Shane and Kori.

"I remember lots of activity in Randolph,'' Everett said. "I remember being involved in sports and swimming. We enjoyed many high school activities. It was good.''

Fred died in 2005, but Beulah continued to be very active in Randolph after his death.

All her life Beulah was a vivid and involved community participant. She just didn't attend events. She helped plan them. She helped find ways to finance them and budget for their future success. She was a leader. She helped the community in many ways including scholarships and raising funds for projects.

"Our idea for the gesture of giving back to the community came from how my Mom in her aging years relied heavily on different people to assist her. We felt this would be a good way and a good time during this trying time of the COVID Virus. Giving the proceeds to the Randolph Volunteer Fire Department and the Randolph Community Food Pantry will help benefit a diverse group in the community,'' said Linda.

Everett said their mother had a real passion for the community.

"Our Mother kept scrapbooks of the goings on in Randolph. She could tell you when someone got married or when a business opened or closed. She enjoyed being from Randolph,'' said Everett.

He said it was in his parents' wishes to give back to Randolph as his mother always spoke very highly of the community.

"Now we have a chance to give back to the community that gave our family so much,'' he said. "Our parents enjoyed Randolph. It was their home. They simply loved Randolph.''

Beulah Mae Rokahr, 91, died June 27, 2020 at Colonial Manor of Randolph. 

The daughter of Oscar and Nora (Morsett) Moser was born Oct. 5, 1928. 

She was baptized and confirmed at rural St. Paul’s Lutheran church in the Venus community. She received her elementary education in rural Knox County. She taught in rural schools located west of Creighton. 

On Aug. 7, 1948 she was married to Frederick Rokahr. The couple owned and operated the John Deere dealership until retiring in January 1989.

Beulah was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid at Osmond, Randolph Community Club, Modern Mrs. Club. She was a lifetime member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary that she joined in Creighton in 1953 and remained a member of VFW #5545 Auxiliary in Randolph, where she served as president of the local group and also as district # 3 president. She was active in Randolph Public Library and was a charter member of the Randolph Arts Council, GFWC Randolph Woman’s Club and the Randolph Senior Citizens, Inc. where she served as treasurer for many years. She was the first woman elected to serve as a board member of the Randolph Public School from 1967-1973. She enjoyed making tied quilts, and quilts from the John Deere uniforms that the family owned while in business. She enjoyed making decorative cakes for each of her grandchildren from their baptisms to graduations including all their birthdays.

Beulah resided at Colonial Manor of Randolph from the fall of 2018 until the time of her death.

All items must be sold during this estate sale. Many of Beulah’s collectibles from her trips, kitchen pots and pans, bedroom furniture and other daily use items will be sold. 

"We need to sell everything to clear out the house so it can become someone else's home,'' said Everett.

There are no cars being sold. 

Most items will be on display in the garage. Items are being sold by the box, not by individual item. 

Sale hours are 5-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.

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