Richard 'Rocky' Robert Kolodge

Richard "Rocky" R. Kolodge, 83, a lifelong resident of Cloquet, Minn., passed away Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. He was born July 20, 1929, in Cloquet to Joseph and Helen (Berlik) Kolodge. Rocky graduated from Cloquet High School and was a star athlete in numerous sports including football, basketball, baseball, track, and other extra-curricular activities. He loved sports of all kinds, Polish polka music, walking, and riding a bike.

Rocky went to work for Northwest Paper (Potlatch) in 1949 before starting his service in the United States Navy. He served four years on the USS Robert A. Owens during the Korean War and his home port was Norfolk, Va. While he was in the service, he met and married Betty Jane Giles, who was living in Raleigh, N.C. They married in Cathedral of Sacred Heart in Raleigh on June 23, 1951. After Naval service, Rocky, Betty and daughter Elizabeth moved back to Cloquet where he started to work at Northwest Paper in 1953, until 1982. Rocky and Betty loved to spend time with their family, share walks and keep up with family events daily.

Rocky was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Chester "Chet," Edmond "Eddie," and Raymond "Reese" Kolodge; and sisters, Emelia "Millie" Winterquist and Germaine "Gerry" Anderson.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty; two sons, Monte (Cheryl) Kolodge of Minneapolis, Minn., and Greg (Lisa) Kolodge of Duluth, Minn.; two daughters, Elizabeth (Drew) Blowers of Nisswa, Minn., and Tracy (Scott Mallory) Kolodge of Cypress, Texas; two sisters, Martha (Paul) Schlieshman of Golden Valley, Minn., and Veronica Plunkett of Del City, Okla.; seven grandchildren and five step-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 21, from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Cloquet. Military honors will be presented by the Cloquet Honor Guard. A luncheon will follow in the church social hall.

Memorials are preferred to the Cloquet Salvation Army.

The family has selected Nelson Funeral Care of Cloquet to assist them with arrangements. See the family online guest book at www.nelsonfuneralcare.net.

December 20, 2012 ~ Pine Journal, Cloquet, Minn.

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