Gene Raymond Roth
(August 30, 1944 - August 30, 2013)
Gene Roth, 69 of Redfield, South Dakota passed away on his birthday, August 30, 2013 surrounded by his family at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen.
His Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at 10:30 A.M. at St Bernard’s Catholic Church. His nephew, Father Justin Wachs and Fr. Christopher Hughes will officiate. He will be laid to rest in St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Redfield.
Visitation will be Monday from 4-7 p.m. with a rosary and scriptural wake service to follow at Thelen Funeral Home (www.thelenfuneralhome.com.)
Gene Raymond Roth was born August 30, 1944, in Redfield to Francis and Elaine (Boyd) Roth. He attended country school in Groveland Township and graduated in 1962 from Redfield High School. During his senior year, he was the 154-pound state wrestling champion. He was the first wrestler from South Dakota to win a state championship with one leg.
On December 2, 1967, Gene married the love of his life and best friend, Justina Wollman, of Iroquois, South Dakota. He considered her his “pretty fraulein.” This 45-year union was blessed with six wonderful children. Together they farmed and ranched northwest of Redfield. He loved his cattle; everything from raising them to seeing them sell at the sale barn. He started with one cow and built it into a sizable herd of which he was extremely proud. He passed his drive, attitude, and work ethic on to his children, grandchildren and other family members. He worked hard until he semi-retired at which time he had more time to enjoy his family, especially the grandchildren. He liked to relax by fishing, hunting, watching movies, and listening to classic country music.
Gene is survived by his wife, Justina; his daughter, Tammy, of Sioux Falls; son, Michael (Terri) and their children Brendan, Brexton, and Breanna of Redfield; son, Jarrod, of Redfield; son Adam (Jacquie) and their children Alexis and Caleb of Highmore; daughter, Dawn (fiancé Mike Betten) of Redfield; daughter, Amy (Mike) Hauger of Vermillion; mother, Elaine; brothers and sisters, Ralph (Glenda) of Redfield; Eileen (Bob) Graham of Aberdeen; Lynn (Nancy) of Abilene, Texas; Kathy Harr of Redfield; Marilyn (Dr. Dave) Wachs of Aberdeen; Karen (Steve) Randall of Platte, SD; and many aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father, Francis; paternal grandparents Matt and Mayme (Oberembt) Roth, maternal grandparents Ralph & Wilhelmena (Gueke) Boyd; uncles, Ray Roth, Melvin Boyd, Laverne Boyd, Delbert Boyd; sister-in-law Mary Ann (Heber) Roth and brother-in-law Doyle Harr.