Josephine Agnes Falteisek Roethler dies at 99
Josephine Agnes Falteisek Roethler, 99, of Ionia, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017 at Whispering Willow Assisted Living, Fredericksburg.Services are 11 a.m. Saturday Jan. 21, 2017 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Ionia, with Father Brian Dellaert and Deacon Vic DeSloover officiating. Burial will take place at St. Boniface Cemetery, Ionia.Visitation is 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday Jan. 21, 2017 at St. Boniface. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.hrabakfuneralhome.comJosie was born Oct. 20, 1917 to Robert and Dorothy (Kendell) Falteisek in Riceville. She was raised by her grandparents Wenzel and Teckla Falteisek when her mother died leaving a two-year-old son Robert and twins, Josie and brother at only four months of age. Along with her father, Josie’s Uncle Fred and Aunt Tillie Falteisek were a very important part of Josie’s life. Josie married Sylvester (Bud) Roethler in April 1941. Together they raised 3 daughters on their family farm near Ionia. Josie was a hard worker, helping Bud in whatever needed to be done on the farm, from milking cows, feeding pigs, to driving the tractor during planting and harvest time. In later years, her father came to live with them on the farm.Josie enjoyed her big garden, strawberry bed and grape vines, in which she canned vegetables and made homemade jelly and jam. She raised chickens and baby ducks. She was a great cook, making meals from scratch and treating her family and friends to homemade pies, cookies and candies.Josie loved to play cards with the neighbors, or uptown. Euchre, Canasta, Five Hundred, Horse Thief, Twenty-One, you name it, she knew it. And if she wasn’t playing cards you could find her crocheting afghans. She also looked forward to trips to the casino to play slots and bingo. Although the most important thing in her life was her family, friends and neighbors. She knew just how to make everyone feel special although not afraid to tell it like it was.Josie’s faith was very strong, always looking forward to Deacon Vic DeSloover’s visits and communion. Meeting her mother someday was a joy to think about when it was her time to go to her heavenly home.Josie is survived by her children, Elizabeth (Gene) Lindholm of River Falls, Wisc., Marjorie (Dennis) Zipse of New Hampton and Mary (Ernest) Willsher of Nashua, grandchildren, Dion (Julie) and Jay (Jane) Fox, Lisa (Jon) Grass, Debra (Mike) Paquay, Randy (Teri) Zipse, Brenda (Rick) Schnoebelen, James (Amy Lee) Zipse, Amy Jo (Adam) Blake, Tige Willsher, Casey (Andy) Neuhaus, Nick Willsher, Allison (Zach) Wesselmann; 24 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson.She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bud on May 8, 1982; brother, Robert Falteisek in WWII and twin brother at the age of four.Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service of Belle Plaine, is assisting Josie’s family with funeral arrangements.
