Obituary of Otto Rotheisler

On May 15, 2015, Otto passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family in Gravelbourg, SK at the age of 87 years. Otto Frank Rotheisler was born on the family farm near Bateman, SK (NE 30-11-6-3) on July 5, 1927. He grew up with seven siblings and attended Arland School. Otto was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church and maintained his faith throughout his lifetime. As a young man he worked on the family farm and travelled to the United States custom combining, and also drove a gravel truck in rural Saskatchewan. He met and fell in love with Theresia Mang and they were married on April 10, 1953, at St. Boswell’s Trinity Lutheran Church. They lived in Moose Jaw and he worked at Huskie Oil. Later they moved to Oliver, BC, where Otto took a job welding at Trumps Manufacturing Company. It soon became apparent that he had a talent and passion for welding. In 1956, Otto and Terry moved back and took over the family farm at Bateman (SE 28-11-6-3). He loved being a farmer and working in his garage, Otto loved to fix whatever needed fixing. He was a man of many talents, who was known for his exceptional welding abilities and helping his neighbours and family fix what ever they needed. If it was broken he’d fix it, if it was obsolete he’d create a new one. Otto took great pride and joy in his workmanship and had great patience in trouble shooting. He built the grain box from scratch for his 1953 GMC truck and a goose neck flat deck trailer in 2008. Otto and Terry were blessed with three children: Ronald, Joan and Linda. Some of Otto’s greatest passions were coaching hockey for his son Ron, watching his girls play fastball, and years later following his grandchildren to their various sporting events. Otto and Terry moved to Gravelbourg in 1996 and he continued his frequent trips to the farm until 2014 to help farm and tinker around. Otto was known for his magic tricks and telling a good story or joke. He enjoyed brain puzzles, word searches and making his famous bowties; which every immediate family member knows how to make. Otto is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Terry (nee Mang), son Ronald (Darlene) Rotheisler, grandson Terry (Stephanie) Rotheisler, great-grandchildren Kylie, Lucas and Alexis, granddaughter Sandra (Chris) Strieb, great-grandchildren Brandon, Breanna, Bladeyn, Brexsen, granddaughter Tricia (Chris) Fiddler, great-granddaughter Mackenzie; daughter Joan Lunde, grandson Kristin (Corissa) Lunde, great-grandchildren Kaysen and Callie, grandson Brian (Stephanie Hadubiak) Lunde, grandson Jeffrey (Jessica Pragnell) Lunde, grandson Joshua Lunde; daughter Linda (Terry) Miller, granddaughters Kelly and Dakota. His sister Ella Alexander of Calgary, AB, as well as numerous family and friends. Funeral service was held on Thursday, May 21, 2015, at 2:00 p.m., at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Gravelbourg, SK. The eulogy was shared by Terry Rotheisler and Brian Lunde. Readers were Wayne Rotheisler, Brandon Strieb, Bladeyn Strieb and Brexsen Strieb. Music was shared by Melanie Martin. Picture tribute by Dakota Miller. Honorary pallbearers were Otto’s Great-Grandchildren. Active pallbearers were Terry Rotheisler, Kristin Lunde, Brian Lunde, Jeffrey Lunde, Joshua Lunde and Brandon Strieb. Interment followed at Peace Lutheran Cemetery, Bateman, SK. Memorial donations in memory of Otto to the St. Paul Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, Box 1064, Gravelbourg, SK S0H 1X0, were greatly appreciated.