John Clement Rohl Sr.

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN FUNERAL AND VISITATION DATE DUE TO FAMILY ILLNESS.

It is with heavy hearts to announce the passing of John C. Rohl Sr., who, at the age of 82 died unexpectedly, Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at his residence in Clifton Township. John was born on October 9, 1941 at the family farmstead in Clifton Township; the son of Edwin Clement and Mabel Gertrude (Cernohous) Rohl. He attended Saint Bridget Parochial School prior to graduating from the Prescott High School in the class of ‘59. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the Armed Forces and proudly served in the United States Army; stationed in Germany during the Cold War. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned home and back to his one passion in life, farming. Around this time, a certain young lady caught his eye. The two became smitten and on August 19, 1967, he walked down the aisle at Saint Bridget’s Catholic Church in River Falls and devoted his life to Jeanne Flanscha. Together, they nurtured a family of six children, witnessing the growth of 21 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, with more on the way. Grandpa John’s face lit up with joy whenever the grandchildren filled the house with laughter and chaos. For John, the farm was not just land; it was a sacred gift from God. This profound connection led him to serve on the Clifton Town Board for forty years and work with the Kinnickinnic Land Trust, tirelessly preserving land and farms for future generations. An avid lover of John Deere tractors, John’s eyes only saw one color – green. He reveled in the gift of a John Deere 27D tractor, which became a source of joy and a restoration project.

Home held a special place in his heart, where he enjoyed a good game of euchre and had everyone laughing and scratching their heads at the words he came up with when playing scrabble. His wood working talents manifested in creating many keepsakes for family and friends; including beautiful mangers, using pine and cedar from local trees. Although he did not get there as often as he wished, he enjoyed time spent relaxing and appreciating the beauty at their cabin in Colorado. Grounded in his faith, John was a proud catholic who fostered a loving, supportive, and forgiving environment for his family.

John is survived by his best friend and wife Jeanne Rohl, his loving children Joan (Christopher) Simon, Katie (Ron) Murphy, John Jr. Rohl, Ben (Jenni) Rohl, Maria (Josias) Franco, Adam (Tara) Rohl, his adored 21 grandchildren: Natalie (Jesse) Bosch, Olivia (Mason) Syverson, Nick Simon, Megan (Cole) Geiger, Cassie (Nick) Jacobsen, Amanda (Jake) Feltz, Allie (Mikey Harris) Murphy, Liz Rohl, Mabel Rohl, Jeanne Rohl, John Rohl III, Olivia (Christopher) Morgan, Benny Rohl, Will Rohl, Charlie Rohl, Mati Rohl, Lydia Franco, Graciela Franco, Ava Franco, Cody Rohl and AJ Rohl; eight great-grandchildren; beloved siblings Mary Huppert, Marguerite (Robert) Matzek, Joanne DeLeon, Kathleen (Robert) Rotty, Jay (Geri) Rohl, Tim (Judy) Rohl, Paula Fiedler, Steve (Peggy) Rohl and sister-in-law Carol Rohl; and a host of nieces and nephews. John is preceded in death by parents Edwin and Mabel Rohl, siblings Bonnie (Jerry) Kusilek, Donnie Rohl, Dick (Penny) Rohl, and Linda (Hank) Cram; brothers-in-law Ed Fiedler, Norman Huppert and Jim Flanscha.

Change of funeral times due to family illness. Mass of Christian burial for John Rohl Sr. will be 10am Friday, December 22nd at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in River Falls. The service will be livestreamed here: https://www.youtube.com/saintbridget . Burial will be in the Cherma Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, December 21st from 4pm to 7pm ALSO at St. Bridget Catholic Church as well as one hour prior to the mass at church Friday morning. Military honors paying tribute to his service in the United States Army will be provided by the American Legion Post 121. Funeral services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of River Falls.