Roland Thomas Magill

Roland Thomas Magill of Lisbon, ND, formerly of Verona, ND passed away on Monday, August 3, 2020 at the age of 90. After several months of declining health, Roland died peacefully, shortly after visits from all his children, after months of quarantine. 

Roland (Rollie) was born in Verona to father Thomas Magill and mother Viola (Lemnus) Magill, January 12, 1930. The second oldest of five sons, he also had two sisters. Rollie’s father died when he was a young boy, and the family of seven children was cared for through the graciousness of extended family during the Great Depression.

In his youth, Rollie worked on the Magill family farm with his brothers, under the steady guidance of his uncle, R.D. Magill. After graduating from high school, Rollie attended NDSU for a year, then returned to the family farm, working with R.D., to begin a life-long career in farming. Rollie eventually took over a portion of the farm, continuing the small grains and cattle operations. He also worked with his uncle on a purebred Shorthorn cattle operation, raising prize purebred bulls, and conducting business with other breeders throughout the country and Canada. In the 1970s, they sold about 150 Shorthorn heifers from Magill Farms to buyers from the Soviet Union.

Rollie was preceded in death by his wife Norma (Seefeldt) Magill, his parents, his son-in-law Lee Dybsand, and by his brothers Francis (Mary) Magill, Jack (Linda) Magill, James (Bonnie) Magill and his two sisters Marion (Harvey) Schumacher and Grace (Lenny) Domine. He is survived by his brother Robert (Sharon) Magill, and sisters-in-law Audrey (Don) Neff and LaDonna (Gene) Fischer. He is also survived by children Linda (Lee) Dybsand, Steven (Debbie) Magill, Rebecca (Pat) Purdy and Charles (Kausha) Magill, as well as grandchildren Lauren (Preston), Aaron, Laura (David), Brendan, Matthew, Leah, Hadley, Dalton (McKinzee), Addison and Garret, and one brand new great grandchild, Vivienne Rose, born August 1, 2020 at NYU Hospital.

Rollie had a long and very satisfying life. He was able to work his entire life in a career he was passionate about, learning everything under a mentor he respected and loved. He raised a family, with his wife Norma, with four children of whom he was quietly proud and was able to see grow into productive people with families of their own. He lived out his dream of seeing his family farm being passed along to his son Chuck, with his grandchildren actively involved in the farm. He was fortunate to marry a woman whose family truly became his own, bringing him a lifetime of joy, humor and close relationships with people whom he loved to spend time. Hard work, an independent spirit, a little Irish stubbornness, sprinkled with fun times with family and many friends in the local area, and an over-riding desire to run his farm successfully, drove him throughout his life and later enabled him to live through type 2 diabetes and beat four cancers, bouncing back immediately each time much to the amazement and consternation of doctors and nursing staff, as he was ready to leave the hospital each time within days after surgery or treatments. He was a tough guy, but he kept his secret well in having a very tender heart, which was demonstrated in the care he provided Norma in her last years of declining health. His determination, humor and fortitude enabled those in his life to love him greatly, but with a somewhat hands-off approach, because … he was a tough guy.

Rollie’s family would like to thank the staff at the Riverview Place, Fargo, ND and Parkside Lutheran Home in Lisbon, for the incredible care he received during his final years. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society (P.O. Box 22478 – Oklahoma, City, OK. 73123) and the American Diabetes Association (2451 Crystal Drive, Ste 900, Arlington, VA. 22202).

Visitation: Friday, August 7, 2020 from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Lisbon, ND.

Funeral service: Saturday, August 8, 2020, at 2:00 P.M. at St. Aloysius Church, Lisbon, ND.
Interment: Oakwood Cemetery, Lisbon, ND.
Lunch and fellowship will follow the burial at Verona City Park, Verona, ND at 4:00 P.M.
 

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