Michael W. Rolund, age 80, a resident of Wheaton, IL, died August 5, 2020. He was born May 20, 1940 on his family's farm in Armassaari, Finland, to William & Helen Rolund.

He arrived at Ellis Island on his second birthday, with his parents holding him up to the ship's porthole, to see his new country. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he enjoyed playing stickball in the city street, cheering the Brooklyn Dodgers, and riding his bicycle to Coney Island to enjoy the giant roller coaster and have a hotdog. Many of his summers were spent at the Finnish-American Bible camp, Camp Clear, near Cape Cod, Massachusetts. This is where he met his future wife, Susan Alexander, while they were still teenagers.

Michael graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School, where he was involved in the school newspaper. He then attended Cooper Union, where he was the captain of the volleyball team, and was inducted into Tau Beta Pi, the Engineering Honor Society. His summer job during college was working for the Naval Ordnance Lab in Maryland. He graduated in 1961 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and received his master's degree from New York University.

Upon graduation, Michael began working for Bell Laboratories in New Jersey, designing Electronic Switching Systems for computers. One of the early computers he helped design is in the Smithsonian Institute. After retiring from engineering, Michael worked at Judson University in Elgin, IL, teaching and providing technical support.

Michael and Susan were married in June of 1965. The following year, they moved to Wheaton, IL, when Bell Labs opened a new facility in Naperville. It is there that they raised their three daughters, Karen, Laura, and Kristen. When the girls were young, they enjoyed the YMCA Indian Princess program with their dad. Michael served at Bethany Chapel as a Sunday School teacher, Audio-Visual Specialist, and Deacon.

He and Susan loved to travel. They often drove to New England to visit family and friends, and made many trips around the U.S.A., and to several European countries. Whenever their grandchildren had a performance or event, Nana and Papa were in attendance! He enjoyed video recording family life and events. An expert tinkerer, Michael frequently put these skills to use around the house, and for the benefit of others. Michael loved music. As a boy, he taught himself how to play the piano from a comic book, and he could play his favorite hymns by ear.

Michael loved his Lord Jesus. He asked Him to be his Savior when he was a young boy and served Him faithfully all his life. His gentle, servant heart was evident to all who knew him. A wise and quiet man, he will be missed by many.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Susan Rolund; his children Karen (Matthew) Basiletti, Laura (Rod) Cain, Kristen (Michael) Jan Francisco; his grandchildren: Elise, Elena, April & Aaron Basiletti; Lydia, Brickson & Susanna Cain; and Kayla Jan Francisco. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his granddaughter Anna Basiletti; his brother Erikki (the late Laura) Ojalehto; and his sister Berta (the late Mauno) Metsavaino.

A visitation will be held Friday, August 14, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL. All visitors are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing. Relatives and friends are invited to meet at the graveside at Wheaton Cemetery on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. A private memorial service will be held on Saturday, at 11:00 a.m. at Bethany Chapel, 404 N. President St., Wheaton, IL. *Due to the ongoing world health crisis, this service is limited to extended family and by invitation only. A livestream will be available through the link above.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Bethany Chapel.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.