Gerald Roth

1938 - 2021

Gerald Roth

Gerald Adolph Roth was born July 8, 1938 to Edwin and Emma Roth on a farm north of New Leipzig in Grant County. His grandson Lucas called him "Pa." He was called Jerry in his professional life, and Garry by family.

He married Coleen "Toots" Marie (Scheffelmeier) Roth, the love of his life, Nov. 17, 1957 in Heil. Gerald overcame many obstacles in his life and was the first in his family to attend high school in Elgin. When he started elementary school, he only spoke German. He received his standard teaching certificate from Dickinson College (1961), his master's degree from Montana State University Billings (1970), and doctorate in education from the University of North Dakota (1978). He spent his entire professional career dedicated to educating students in North Dakota, starting as a teacher in Regent then in Bismarck. He moved on to work as the director of elementary education for the state of ND in the Department of Public Instruction. During this time Gerald and Coleen raised their family in Mandan. He left that position to work as the assistant superintendent of schools in Valley City from 1983 to 1992. Gerald and Coleen moved back to their home in Mandan in 1992 when he started teaching in the elementary education department at the University of Mary. He retired from that position in 2004. Ever the professional, he worked as a consultant after retirement helping educators further their careers.

Gerald and Coleen shared a love of collecting antiques, especially Rosemeade and Dakota pottery, Indian artifacts, coin collecting, and attending flea markets and rummage sales.

They combined their love of collecting antiques with travel after retirement.

Gerald is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ervin, Eugene, Bernard, Marvin and Delmar.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Coleen "Toots", son, Garry (Carol) of Harwood, daughter, Michele (Jerry) Trotter of Fargo, son Stacy (Stacey) Roth of Cheyenne, Wyo.; seven grandchildren – Ben (Laura) Roth of Grand Forks, Jessica Roth of Fargo, Katherine (Mike) Reinke of Forest Lake, Minn., Zachary Trotter of Grand Forks, Ellen Trotter of Houston, Texas, Lindsey Trotter of Minneapolis, Minn., and Lucas Roth of Cheyenne, Wyo.; five great grandchildren – Elijah, Jacob and Luke Reinke of Forest Lake, Minn., and Gillian and Gabrielle Roth of Grand Forks; brothers - Norman (Audrey) of Mandan, and Larry (Bonnie) of West Fargo, sisters - Esther Maas of Renton, Wash., Violette (Lawrence) Ketterling of Livingston, Texas, and LaRue Roth of Horseshoe Bay, Texas; and many beloved nieces and nephews and extended family.

In lieu of flowers please send memorials to a charity of your choice, First Lutheran Church in Mandan or First Congregational United Church of Christ in Fargo.

Interment will be this spring in Mandan at a date to be determined. Pallbearers are Ben Roth, Zachary Trotter, Lucas Roth, Michael Reinke, Ryan Rivinius, Josh Rivinius, and Timothy Fuchs.

Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at Boulger Funeral Home & Celebration of Life Center, Fargo with visitation starting at 9:30 a.m. The service will be livestreamed on Boulger Funeral Home's website at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.

Interment: Mandan in the spring.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home & Celebration of Life Center, Fargo.