Donald J. Roseth

1927 - 2010

Donald J. Roseth passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 15, 2010 surrounded by his family.

Born Sept. 7, 1927 in Decorah, Iowa, to Elsa Jentz and James Roseth. Don worked in the family bakery, the Bake Rite Bakery, operating the wrapping machine at the age of nine. At 15 he was driving the delivery truck. Don learned to swim in the gravel pits and the Iowa River. He loved to canoe the river and sled the local hills. At nine he broke several ribs and was hauled home on his sled by friends.

Don was a member of the Decorah Drum and Bugle Corps at age eight, playing the bugle. This led to playing the trumpet in high school where he held the solo chair in band. Don lettered in football, basketball and track while in high school. In college he lettered as a halfback while attending Luther College.

In 1946 he was assigned to Task Force Frigid and served his country in Alaska during one of the coldest winters then on record- negative 50 to negative 70 degrees for over 40 days. He attended Fresno State and met his future wife, Betty Harris. They were wed on the Bride and Groom Radio Program. They wed April 14, 1949.

Don attended graduate school at Georgetown University moving his family to Arlington, Va. This was a life experience for his children, Loren and Elise. In 1965 he moved the family to Thousand Oaks and worked in Los Angeles as a senior chemist for the FDA. In 1971 he accepted a position as a compliance officer. In 1979 he received a letter of commendation from the United States Attorney for his work as a special witness. In 1981 he received a degree in computer science.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father; brother, James; and good friend, John Larson. Don is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Joy Roseth; his sister, Ruth Heimdahl; son, Loren; and daughter, Elise. Don retained many friends from high school, his bowling league, and friends who shared mornings over a cup of coffee at the Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks. He will be missed by all of us.

Arrangements under the direction of Griffin Family Funeral Chapels, 230-2800.