Ernest Rothe

Ernest George Rothe On February 21, 2013, the Marines lost their brother Ernest G. Rothe, 90, of Oshkosh; Semper Fi. Having passed away peacefully at Evergreen Retirement Community with his youngest daughter by his side, he has now gone to his final post: guarding the streets of Heaven. Ernie was born in Weyauwega on June 13, 1922, one of nine children born to Oscar A. and Elsie (Long) Rothe. Like many Depression-era young men, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps to help his family, making $8 a month and sending most of it home. He served for a year at Camp Crystal Lake by Boulder Junction before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps on July 8, 1942. Private First Class Rothe helped re-build Pearl Harbor and afterwards served as an MP in Hawaii until the end of World War II. He married Dolores M. Schuster at St. Vincent’s Church in Oshkosh on September 20, 1947 and spent the next 34 years driving trucks for Olson Transportation, receiving many awards for safe driving before his retirement in 1979. Though a quiet and humble man, Ernie was brimming with personality. His greatest joys in life included spending time at his beloved cabin in the north woods, riding in the “Sweet Jeep,” teasing the children and grandchildren he was so proud of, fawning over the family pets, and sneaking the doughnuts and other sweets he wasn’t supposed to have but loved oh so much. Independent with a side of stubbornness, he lived at home until a fall on New Year’s Eve resulted in broken bones and a hospital stay. He recuperated well, but the loss of his wife of 65 years turned out to be too much for him; in a dramatic testament of their love, he followed her to eternal rest two days after her funeral. The family is grateful to Ann Freid, who cared for Ernie and played piano for him, and to Jacob and Dominic Tetzlaff, his fiancé Kailey Lemon, and friend Brian for their monumental efforts aiding Ernie at home. Thanks also to the kind folks with Aurora Visiting Hospice as well as the compassionate nurses at Evergreen who made Ernie’s final days as comfortable as possible. Ernie is survived by two daughters: Paula Cartwright of Omro and Cary Rothe of Oshkosh; one son, William “Mr. Bill” (Audree) Rothe; four grandchildren: USMC GySgt Andrew (Kim) Cartwright of Escanaba and Ann Cartwright, Jennifer Rothe, and Patrick Rothe, all of Oshkosh; two great-grandchildren: Samantha and Alexander Cartwright of Escanaba; two brothers: Ralph (Shirley) Rothe and Oscar (Alice) Rothe, Jr. of Oshkosh; and two sisters, Betty (Robert) Szep and Joyce (Roy) Roeder, both of Oshkosh, as well as many extended family members. Ernie was preceded in death by his wife Dolores; parents Oscar and Elsie; two brothers, Merle (Ione) Rothe and Marlyn (Regina) Rothe; and two sisters, Violet (Carl) Anderson and Vivian (Arbor) Chapin. A funeral service, presided by Fr. Matt Simonar, is scheduled for noon on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at Fiss and Bills Poklasny Funeral Home on Westhaven Dr. in Oshkosh. Visitation will be from 11 – 12 at the funeral home. Ernie will join his wife in rest at Lakeview Cemetery in Oshkosh. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name. Fiss & Bills Funeral Home 865 S. Westhaven Drive Oshkosh, WI 54904 (920) 235-1170 www.fissbillspoklasny.com

Ernest Rothe

June 13, 1922 - February 27, 2013

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