Robert D. Roettger

Robert Duane Roettger, born to Harold and Laura Roettger, and a lifelong resident of Centuria, WI, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2017.  He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends, most especially by his loving wife of 44 years, Bonnie, who remained by his side during the last months of his illness. 

Rob was born in St. Croix Falls on November 25, 1949.  He graduated from Unity High School in 1967, and then attended college in Eau Claire and also Stout in Menomonie.  He was a highly skilled carpenter and worked a plethora of jobs before becoming a maintenance worker at Unity School in Balsam Lake, where he was praised for his great work ethic.  He and his wife also volunteered for Interface Caregivers, Adoray Hospice, and at the hospital in St. Croix Falls.

Known for his great sense of humor, Rob could brighten the day of anyone he encountered.  He was light-hearted, but also very grounded and focused.  He had a calming manner which was reassuring to family and neighbors who came to him for anything. 

Rob had many hobbies and interests.  He had an analytical brain that liked numbers and math.  He put together puzzles of 1500 pieces regularly, as well as worked on crossword puzzles.  He loved all forms of Baseball, especially the statistics part of it where he could remember every significant record ever held.  He admired the Twins, minor league ball, and watching his kids play little league.  He enjoyed playing golf as well, holding a season pass for several years when he would play a quick nine holes after work.  He also had a passion for trains, particularly the Soo Line, where he also delved into model railroading.  Rob also loved wildlife.  While he hunted and fished, he was just as happy jumping in the car and driving around to look for deer on the backroads.  He would feed the birds out of the dozen or so feeders they had and enjoyed identifying them and logging the date and species of bird in a journal.  And music!  Rob cherished music.  If there was a guitar lying around, he would pick it up and play.  He would do the same thing with a piano.  But his voice was his favorite instrument as he was constantly singing or humming.

A devoted family man, Rob took great care of his wife, children, and grandchildren.  When the kids were small he and Bonnie would load them up in the car and take them on cross-country road trips to places such as Texas, New York, Montana, Florida, and California.  He was very energetic with the grandchildren and made sure they had fun, while also reassuring them that they were loved.  He was also a devoted husband to his wife.

Rob was preceded in death by his father, Harold.  He is survived by his mother, Laura; his wife, Bonnie (Heckes); his children, David, Robbie, and Jeremy; his grandchildren, Zackary, Brionna, and Eathan; his siblings, Cliff, Ron, Ruth, and Jeanne; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and many friends.  

Funeral services for Robert will be held on Friday, August 11, 2017 at the Kolstad Family Funeral Home in Centuria at 12:00 Noon.  Visitation will be held at the Kolstad Family Funeral Home from 10:30 A.M. – 12:00 Noon.  Pastor Kevin Schumann will officiate.  Robert will be laid to rest at the Fristad Lutheran Cemetery in Centuria.

The family would like to thank the folks at Golden Age Manor in Amery, United Pioneer Nursing home in Luck, the Amery Hospital and the Hospital in St. Croix Falls, where the doctors, staff, and everyone else there made his last days a little better.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.

 Service Information