Gene Roth

ANDOVER- Gene Roth, 73 of Andover died on Wednesday January 10, 2007 at Avera St. Lukes Hospital in Aberdeen. His funeral will be at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at Fiksdal Funeral Chapel in Webster, Rev. Charles Bunk officiating. Burial will be in the Andover Cemetery. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster on Monday 4-8 P.M. and prior to services on Tuesday. Gene Elmon Roth was born on Tuesday, January 17, 1933 to Elmon and Harmka (Hayenga) Roth at Webster, South Dakota. The family lived on a farm near Andover where he grew up. He attended Valley View District 180 country school near his home. On October 5, 1969 he was united in marriage to Wanda Longland at the United Methodist Church in Andover, South Dakota. After their marriage the couple took over his parents farm in 1972. He was engaged in dairy and grain farming until his retirement in 1994. The couple remained on the farm after retirement. He enjoyed living and working and living on the family farm. He loved horses and was very passionate about driving horses. He served as “Santa Claus’ reindeer driver in Pierpont during the Christmas celebration for several years. He also drove his teams in many parades and trailrides. He was especially proud of participating in the South Dakota State Centennial Trailride. He enjoyed dancing and square dancing and became a caller in 1980. He also enjoyed watching television westerns. His greatest passion in life was his family – and he left a great legacy of love and how to live everyday to the fullest for them. He was a member of the James Valley Threshing Association. Gene passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at Aberdeen, South Dakota at the age of 73 years, 11 months and 24 days. Survivors include his wife, Wanda of Andover; his children, Marvin (Deb) Rohde of Mona, IA, Mary (Tom) Olson of Langford, SD, Brenda (Jim) Schoenfelder of Vancouver, WA, Roger Rohde of Andover, SD and Karla (and fiancée, Shaun Grube) Roth of Andover, SD; a sister, Murtis (Percival) Monson of Webster, SD; twelve grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Bill, one sister, Mavis Wik and one granddaughter, Rebecca Schoenfelder.