July 9, 2024 – Washington Co., WI – Charles Eldon Roethke, Sr., 91, of Fond du Lac, formerly of West Bend was called home to be with the Lord on July 9, 2024, at Cedar Community in West Bend.
Charles was born on February 12, 1933, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac the only child of Eldon and Phyllis (nee Baetz) Roethke. Due to the early deaths of both parents, Charles was raised by his maternal grandparents, Charles and Clara Baetz in Dundee. Charles was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dundee by Rev. Walter Stroschein. Pastor and Mrs. Stroschein were an important part of Charles’ early childhood.
Charles attended Dundee Grade School and graduated from Campbellsport High School in 1950. He went on a blind date at a high school dance, where he met Joyce Grahl, who would become his wife, whom he loved dearly, and was married to for over 61 years.
In April 1953, Charles was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War. After basic training at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, Charles and Joyce were married on August 30, 1953. In November 1953 Charles was sent to Gelnhausen, Germany as a fire direction specialist in Headquarters Battery 42nd Field Artillery Battalion until April 1955. When Charles returned to the US, he settled in West Bend with Joyce, where they raised three children.
Charles was employed at Pilot Press which merged into Serigraph Sales. In 1970, he started at Post Printing as a pre-press technician, retiring in 1995.
In the mid-sixties, Charles and Joyce along with dear friend, Joe Fell, formed a musical trio, “The Country Clefs.” In the mid-seventies they were joined by their daughter, Lynn, on drums and vocals; with Joyce on organ, accordion, and vocals; and Charles on guitar, banjo, vocals, and yodeling. Entertaining was an important part of their lives which continued until 2009.
Those Charles leaves behind to cherish his memory include his children, Lori (Joe) Klahn, Charles “Chuck” (Marian) Roethke, and Lynn (Lynda Johnson) Roethke; grandchildren, Craig (Julie) Konen, Ben (Connie) Konen, James Konen, Paul (special friend Jami) Konen, Christa (Jeff) Cardenas, Charles (Bridget) Roethke, Curtiss Johnson, and Grant Johnson; great-grandchildren, Katie (Luke) Gellings, Karlie (Macoy Kohlman) Konen, Kyler Konen, Brittany Schoeder, Dyllan Konen, Christopher Konen, Shelby Konen, Korinne Konen, Jada Konen, Drake Konen, Jaxon Konen, Mason Cardenas, Jayden Cardenas, Brady Cardenas, Bryce Cardenas, Bentley Roethke, and Conrad Roethke; great-great-grandchildren, Peytan Rogne, Easton Mesich, and Marietta Joyce Gellings. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce (nee Grahl) Roethke; maternal grandparents, Charles and Clara (nee Krueger) Baetz and Anna (nee Mueller) Baetz; paternal grandparents, Emil and Della (nee Roll) Roethke; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bernard and Bardine (nee Schultz) Grahl; brothers-in-law, Donald (Leah) Grahl, Larry Bohlman, Fred Beede, and Ronald Nichols.
VISITATION: Charles’ family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday, July 13, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. at St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church (4930 Beaver Dam Road – West Bend, WI 53095) where Charles was a longtime member.
SERVICE: A Funeral Service in remembrance of Charles will take place at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday at church with Reverend Jay Cook officiating. Entombment will be at Ledgeview Memorial Park in Fond du Lac immediately following the church service.
Memorials in Charles’ name can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of his wife Joyce.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Cedar Community for their care and compassion.
Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Charles’ arrangements. For additional information or to leave an online condolence on the tribute wall, please visit www.myrhum-patten.com.
