Clarence Oscar “Chuck” Rothe, age 87, of Hudson, passed away on Wednesday evening, July 20, 2011 at the Deerfield Gables Nursing Home in New Richmond, WI. Chuck was born April 16, 1924 in Emerald WI to parents Oscar William and Alma (Klawatter) Rothe. Like many of his generation, Clarence attended country school through the 8th grade. On November 2, 1945 in St. Paul MN, Clarence would be united in marriage to Vergil Jane Engebretson. Their union in marriage would be blessed with five children, and 64 years of love and devotion to each other.
Chuck worked for 40 years as an offset printer with the Brown & Bigelow Company in St. Paul MN, and rose to the position of department head before retiring in 1985. Chuck also farmed and raised cattle. Though he cherished his cattle, Chuck was a family man through and through, and loved spending time with loved ones. Family camp-ins at the Rothe Farm were some good times that provided great memories. Chuck enjoyed deer hunting, and camping with his wife, “Verg”, and when he wasn’t videotaping fun memories of family and friends at gatherings, he could be found relaxing while fishing at Bass Lake, Trego and Spooner.
Chuck is survived by his daughter, Diane (Burt) Beckman of Clear Lake; sons, Darrel (Nila) Rothe of Amery, and Scott (Christine) Rothe of Hudson; 11 grandchildren: Todd, Stacy, Melissa, Kori, Amy, Nathan, Matt, Michelle, Nicholas, Janae, Jaden; 5 step-grandchildren: Amy, Adam, Michael, Jay, and Lisa; 19 great-grandchildren; his siblings, Ralph, Ethel, Deloris, Robert, Carol, and Janet; many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vergil; parents; daughter, Virginia “Ginny” in 1996 and son, Dale in 2006; brother, Earl; and infant sister, Evelyn.
Funeral services for Clarence Chuck Rothe will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 23 at Bethel Lutheran Church, 920 Third Street in Hudson, with Pastor Dennis Nelson officiating. Burial will follow at the New Richmond Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church, and also on Friday, July 22 from 4:00-7:00PM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson, 715-386-3725.