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BORN
1935
DIED
2012
Josef Rothbauer Obituary
Joe was born in Bavaria Germany on July 15, 1935 to Josef and Lena (Weber) Rothbauer. He was one of five children. In 1953, at the age of 17 he immigrated to the United States and lived with his Tante Katie and Uncle Aloise Tschech in Oshkosh.
Joe married Betty Fassbender on December 29, 1956 at St. Kilian Catholic Church in Hartford, WI. Together they had five children: Joe (Becky); David (Sarah); Mary Kay (Mike) Van Laarhoven; Sharon (Jeffrey) Boyce; and Amy Rothbauer. There are numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joe was a man of few words but he taught and nurtured his children through the integrity with which he lived his life.
Joe was always driven to work hard by his desire to provide for the family he loved. He had a natural entrepreneurial spirit and he created various business ventures. After serving his apprenticeship for bricklayer, Joe worked for a number of contractors in the 1950's and 1960's. In 1963, he formed Oshkosh Construction Company, Inc. doing masonry and concrete work and mud jack service. In 1970, along with his wife Betty he opened Main Equipment Rental in Oshkosh. With his wife and sons he worked both businesses until 1995.
Over the years Joe and his wife purchased a number of rental properties. After the sale of the rental store he managed and maintained their real estate investments as well as purchased, renovated and sold multiple homes in the Oshkosh area.
Joe served on the Board of Directors for Second Harvest Food Bank (now Feeding America) in Omro; led a Bible study at the Oshkosh Correctional Institute for more than 23 years; hosted "Testimony Time," a 30-minute TV program on the local access channel, for 22 years; served as an officer for Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship; and for many years led a weekly Bible study where many men's lives were changed.
He was a man of steadfast faith who simply believed God's Word which he studied diligently and passionately.
There will be no funeral service. A private graveside gathering officiated by Dr. David Bruenning will be held for the immediate family at the time of burial. In lieu of flowers, any donations received will be given in Joe's memory to International Children's Fund.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Aurora staff whose kind and dignified care offered much comfort along this journey.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Josef Rothbauer
June 18, 2012
My sympaty is with you and your family in this time of sorrow.
I was so shocked to here of his passing. I met Joe when he first came here from Germany and he was a wonderful person and will be missed by all who knew him.
Ellie Angle, Ambassador Travel
Joan Stumpf
May 31, 2012
I am honored to have had the opportunity to know Josef. He was one of my favorite volunteers. My condolences to Betty and the family.
Darrell/Mary Chapin
May 31, 2012
Our condolences to your family. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Tom & Peggy Schuster
May 30, 2012
Joe was a positive influence in my life. I always admired his faith and character.
Our deepest sympathy to everyone in your family.
May 30, 2012
Dearest Betty & family, So sorry to hear of Joe's passing. What a privledge it was for me to know Joe and all the work he did for ICF and getting to him working on David's roof. No doubt about that he love the Lord with all his heart and will be sorely missed by family and friends. Our sincere condolences from Tom & Nancy Schilleman...
John Wrasse
May 30, 2012
I was saddened to read about your loss. I was always impressed with the work ethic that was obvious in Joe, David, and Mary Kay while at Lourdes, and Sharon aboard the Valley Queen II. Thinking of you.
May 29, 2012
I am so sorry to hear of Joe's passng, My sympathys to you all. I will keep you inmy thoughts and prayers. Mary Kay Gronlund Napp
Jim / Penny Blackmore
May 29, 2012
Blessings to you and your family. We have fond memories of your husband and father. He will be remembered as a man of conviction and as caring person..
Our prayers go out to you...
Bob Muza
May 29, 2012
My condolences go out to your entire family.
judy wilber
May 29, 2012
Mrs. Rothbauer, you have our deepest sympathy, during this difficult time. our prayers and love is sent your way. the George Wilber family
May 29, 2012
To the entire Rothbauer family,
Brenda and I express our condolences. Our families go back almost 50 years! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kevin and Brenda Purtell
Brad & Catherine Reed
May 29, 2012
Betty, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. You and Joe were so kind, thoughtful and supportive to my husband and me when we started our business. We never would have made it without your help and guidance we will always be forever grateful. God Bless you Betty and Joe, you were God's Blessing to us and we will never forget you. Rest in peace.
Gretchen Herrmann
May 29, 2012
Peace to your family. . . may you be comforted by sweet memories, and the knowledge that he is resting in God's loving hands.
Vicki Marxen
May 29, 2012
Betty, We at the VNA were honored to serve you and Joe during this time. His faith and strength during trial was an example to us all.
Chaplain Vicki
May 29, 2012
Dan and I want to express our sorrow in hearing about Joe's passing! Joe was such a great friend, and brother in the Lord! He will be missed so much. Betty if there is anything you ever need just give us a call! We will stop visit sometime soon! Sad to see there will be no funeral service! Dan & Marilyn Schettle
Bob Nelson
May 29, 2012
It was my pleasure to have known and had Joe as a friend for many years. Rarely saw him in later years but when chance meetings did occur we did not miss a beat.He will be sadly missed by so many.
Gary Schroeder
May 29, 2012
To Betty Rothbauer and Family,
My deepest heartfelt condolences to you. You and Joe were, and still are, a great encouragement to me for the larger portion of my life from the early 1980's to the present.
Whether at Full Gospel Business Men's meeting, worshiping at Pentecostal Church on Arthur Ave or at my church. We had great times in the LORD.
People getting born-again, healed, delivered and set free was the norm wherever Joe walked. Praise God. What a great example of being a follower of Jesus.
To Joe: Thank You Joe for being a steadfast and diligent man of God. You have made it to graduation day and now you are with Jesus. Hallelujah Brother!
Thank You for everything we shared in this life on earth.
To Betty: I am praying for you, sister: The Lord Bless You and He Will Keep You and Give You Strength and Prosper You.
My love and prayers to you and your family in the Name of Jesus.
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