Dorothy Roskens

Dates

Obituary

Dorothy Roskens, 100, of Emery, SD, passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Diamond Care Center in Bridgewater, SD. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, July 15, at First Baptist Church in Emery. Burial will be at Emery Community Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7:00 PM at the church. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Dorothy May (Wobig) Roskens was born April 20, 1923, to Edwin and Ella (Nikolaus) Wobig on the Wobig homestead south of Canova, SD. She attended rural Sun Prairie No. 2 Elementary School and graduated from Canova High School. After high school graduation, Dorothy attended Nettleton Commercial College in Sioux Falls, and then worked as a secretary in Sioux Falls for Western Material Company which sold Caterpillar and LeTourneau equipment.

The Wobig family were members of the Unityville Baptist Church in Unityville, SD. Dorothy accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior when she was 12, and she was baptized by Rev. J. G. Rott.

Dorothy married Jake R. Roskens on April 4, 1946, when he returned from World War II. They were married at the Unityville Baptist Church by her uncle Rev. John Wobig. They farmed near Emery until retiring in 1998 when they moved into Emery.

Dorothy had a beautiful singing voice and was involved in the music program at the First Baptist Church in Emery. Besides being involved with the music committee and singing for the church, she sang for many funerals, weddings, and other occasions, even cutting a record for her parents in the early 1950’s.  Additionally, she taught Sunday School and was a faithful member for 77 years.

Dorothy cherished her family. Her love and devotion for her family created treasured memories that will be shared for generations to come. The grandchildren were invited to spend time on the farm each summer, chocolate chip cookies were always nearby, and an angel food cake awaited everyone on their birthdays. Jake and Dorothy enjoyed attending the many events of their grandchildren, and Dorothy continued to support her family after Jake passed in 1999.

Memories of Dorothy include her faithfulness and love for her Savior, her pride and love for her family, her birthday cards with money and a balloon, the diaries she kept since 1962, and her knowledge of family history. She liked reading, sewing, puzzles, playing card games and dominos.

Remembering Dorothy’s legacy are her four children: James (Kathy) of Maple Grove, MN; Gregory (Nancy) of Emery, SD; Carolyn Swan of Mankato, MN; and Duane (Vivian) of Boise, ID; 10 grandchildren:  Ron Roskens, Mickey (Karlene) Bittner, Stephen (Jackie) Roskens, Amy (Adam) Zaske, Dr. Heidi (Dr. Brent) Dalzell, Rachael (Ryan) Tiedeman, Shannon Hoverson, Jodi (Wil) Netzer, Matthew (Emily) Roskens, and Scott (Allison) Roskens; and 22 great-grandchildren. Dorothy is also survived by her sister, Twila Guilliams of Lynwood, WA; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jake in 1999; her parents; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Lowell (Helen), Dexter (Jackie), and Dennis; brother-in-law, Gordon Guilliams in 2004; daughter-in-law, Peggi Roskens in 1998; son-in-law, Duane Swan in 2012; grandson, James Robert Roskens in 1970; and grandson-in-law, Mark Hoverson.

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