Rolf Edward Aaseng was born November 28, 1923, in McIntosh, MN, to Ingeman and Sunniva (Scheie) Aaseng. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior Lutheran Church and graduated from McIntosh High School in 1941. He attended Concordia College in Moorhead and in 1943 joined the US Army Air Corp. During WWII, he served in France, and following his honorable discharge returned to Concordia College, graduating summa cum laude in 1948.On March 19, 1948, Rolf married Viola Anderson at the Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN) chapel. Following his studies at Luther, he was ordained in 1951 and accepted his first call to Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. Following graduate study in New York, the family moved to St. Louis Park in 1958, and Rolf served over 20 years in the Lutheran publishing ministry, first as editor of Lutheran Teacher, then as associate editor of The Lutheran Standard, and as curriculum editor of Augsburg Publishing. In 1980, Rolf and Vi moved to South Africa where he taught at the Lutheran seminary in Umpumulo. In 1987, they returned to their home in St. Louis Park, where they were long-time members of Westwood Lutheran Church. They moved to Northfield in 2005.In recent years, Rolf was an active volunteer and advocate for Luther Seminary and Global Health Ministries. He was a frequent contributor to the Metro Lutheran and sang in the Nordkap Chorus. He was a quiet and humble man who enjoyed music, gardening, stamp collecting, hiking, and camping. Although he would not want it mentioned, Rolf was honored by Luther Seminary with the Faithfulness in Ministry Award in 1997. He received the Metro Lutheran "Golden Pen Award" in 1999, and in 2001 was recognized by Concordia College with the Alumni Achievement Award. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Viola: 5 children and their spouses: Lenore of Minneapolis, Norman and Sharla of Minneapolis, Nathan and Linda of Eau Claire, Grant and Ruth of Alexandria, Scott and Gale of Chicago; 10 grandchildren: Danielle, Devin, Jay, Maury, Mikhaila, Evan, Marit, Kristopher, Sunniva, Brita; his sister Helen Aaseng of Eagle Rock, CA; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Ingvar. Rolf passed away with his family by his side on Thursday afternoon, January 7, 2010, at the Northfield Hospital, at the age of 86. Services will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 16, 2010, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Northfield with Rev. Tim McDermott and Rev. Charles Ruud officiating. A luncheon in the fellowship hall will follow the service. Music will be provided by Janean Hall and family members. Interment will be in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday one hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to Luther Seminary or Global Health Ministries.Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.