Deacon Jerome Roth, 93, died Aug. 7 at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Aug. 12 at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Bowlus with Bishop Donald Kettler officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery.
Deacon Roth was born Dec. 21, 1925, in Hankinson, North Dakota, to Adam and Elizabeth (Portner) Roth, and attended St. Francis Academy there. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, was honorably discharged in 1946 and attended college for two years before re-enlisting for another 22 years in the U.S. Naval Reserve, where he served as a chief petty officer.
In 1949 he married Irene Ohotto of Bowlus. The couple was married for 55 years and had seven children (Kathleen, Kevin, Kim, Kent, Kara, Kelly and Keith), 21 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. During their marriage, they lived in the Twin Cities area and on Irene’s third generation century farm in Bowlus before retiring to St. Benedict’s Village in Monticello, Minnesota.
Deacon Roth attended St. John’s University prior to being ordained a deacon in 1982. He performed most of his diaconate service at St. Stanislaus Kostka and in surrounding parishes. He was also religious education director for Holy Trinity Church in Royalton for seven years. He was a fourth degree and life member of the Knights of Columbus and member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Deacon Roth is survived by his children: Kathleen (Daniel) Holker, Kim (Si) Koning, Kent (Joan) Roth, Kara (Al Stewart) Harren, Kelly (Paul) Beniek and Keith Roth. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Mary (Ohotto), son Kevin Roth, daughter-in-law Gloria Roth and great-grandchildren Jack Holker, Blaise LeBlanc and Cora Roth.