Longtime Ewing teacher dies at 55

Barbara Roland, who taught at Ewing and Summerland schools for 33 years, died Thursday, May 27, at her home, after battling cancer for 11 years.

Roland taught third grade and, later, served as the Title I reading instructor.

In August, she told the Advocate- Messenger her battle with cancer began in 2009, when she was having dental issues and was sent to Dr. Jon Stineman, an oral surgeon in Norfolk.

She was sent to Creighton University's School of Dentistry in Omaha, to work with Dr. Stephen Hess, an oral pathologist.

The initial diagnosis was leukoplakia.

She underwent a procedure to kill bad cells, with hopes of new cells growing.

The procedure worked, until 2015, when she was diagnosed with verrucous carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and other oral cancers.

Roland told the Advocate- Messenger her faith provided a positive outlook.

She worked full time until school dismissed, in December, for the holidays.

When second semester began, Roland traveled to Ewing to work on lesson plans for her students.

Even during the final week of classes, in May, she visited the school daily.

The school issued the following statement from Superintendent Dale Martin and Ewing principal Greg Appleby, Saturday:

"We are saddened to announce that Barb Roland, the elementary Title I teacher at Summerland Public School – Ewing site, has passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer. The staff and students at Summerland Public School – Ewing are heartbroken about Mrs. Roland's death and wish to express our sincere sympathies to Mrs. Roland's husband Byron, son Colby and all of Barb's family; which also includes her school family at Ewing. Mrs. Roland taught at Ewing Public Schools and now Summerland Public School for 33 years. Barb was a dedicated, caring and inspirational teacher who cared for each student deeply and worked hard to ensure that each student had a chance to succeed. We will all miss Barb immensely, but know that she is no longer in pain and that heaven just gained one heck of a teacher."

Funeral services were scheduled for Thursday, at the Oakdale Community Center.