Gregg Folkert

Gregg Arthur Folkert, 51 years, of Rochester was unexpectedly called home to be with his Lord on Sunday, February 10, 2019 Gregg was born in Rochester on April 23, 1967 to proud parents Arthur and Arlene Folkert. Gregg attended Rochester Central Lutheran School for several years before becoming a student in the Rochester public schools. He graduated from John Marshall High School in 1986 before attending Rochester Vocational and Technical College, where he earned his degree in Building Utility Maintenance in 1988. After completing an internship at Rochester Public Utility Service Center, he was employed at IBM for 10 years. Gregg was then employed by the city of Rochester; first, at Rochester Public Utility/Power Plant, followed by his current position at the Rochester Rec Center, where he was a friendly, familiar face to visitors. Gregg had many interests. He enjoyed different modes of transportation - cars, trucks, tractors, and snowmobiles - and frequently attended stock car, snowmobile, and motocross races. Gregg had a tender spot for animals, especially dogs, including "his" dog Betsy, who he lavished with love and attention. He was a quiet, thoughtful man who had a generous heart; he was always 'rooting for the hard-working underdog' in life. Gregg was introduced to farm life at an early age on his grandfather's farm, frequently riding (and napping) on a tractor with his dad or grandpa as they worked in the fields. As an adult, Gregg continued to be drawn to farm life, working on friends' farms, because he genuinely loved the peace-filled constancy of the land. Gregg is survived by his parents, Arthur and Arlene Folkert of Rochester; three sisters - Barb (Jeff) Gustafson of Edina; DeAnne (Terry) Smith of Rochester; Michelle (Andy) Kulich of Rochester; and one brother - Gary (Jen) Folkert of Bloomington; six nieces and six nephews, whom he adored; numerous relatives and many friends. He is preceded in death by an older infant brother, Craig Allen; his grandparents, Arthur and Elsie Folkert, George and Grace Link; several uncles, aunts, and cousins. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 16, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 222 6th Ave. SW, Rochester. Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, February 15, 2019 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester and from 9:30 a.m. until time of the service on Saturday at the church. The Rev. Joel Haak will be officiating with interment at Oakwood East Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Gregg may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church-designated to the Legacy of Faith II Fund; the Reading Center/Dyslexia Institute of Minnesota at 847 5th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota 55901 or to Rochester Central Lutheran School at 2619 9th Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes of Rochester are honored to be serving the Folkert family; special memories or condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.ranfranzandvinefh.com