Donald Joseph Roetering

Donald J. Roetering, 85, of Alexandria, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at Bethany Nursing Home in Alexandria. 

Don was born on July 6, 1937, in Breese, Illinois, the youngest of seven children born to John Henry and Mary (Weinheimer) Roetering.  He grew up in Beckemeyer, Illinois, and he attended St. Anthony Elementary School and Mater Dei Highschool, where he graduated in 1955.

While a sophomore in high school, Don met and fell in love with Joanna Huelsmann.  He and Joanna were married on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1957.

The newlyweds moved to Chicago, Illinois, where Don was employed as a billing clerk for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, which later became Burlington Northern.  In 1961 he transferred to the security division of the railroad, and over the course of his career assumed roles of increasing responsibility with moves that took him and his family to Galesburg, Illinois, Quincy, Illinois; Fridley, Minnesota; Seattle, Washington; Naperville, Illinois; and Lincoln, Nebraska.  Upon his retirement as Chief Special Agent from the railroad in 1991, Don and Joanna settled in Alexandria, Minnesota, and spent many winters in Arizona and Texas.

In his youth, Don was a talented baseball and basketball player – talents that he enjoyed sharing with his children and their friends while serving as a coach for youth football, baseball, and basketball teams.  During his retirement years, Don enjoyed woodworking, golfing, fishing, running, biking, and of course, spending time with his family and friends.

Don is survived by his wife, Joanna; his daughter Linda Reko (Ken); his sons, Brian (Diana), Kevin (Christina), Steve (Wendy); grandchildren, Anna Arneson (James), Stephanie Bata (Reily), Samantha, John, Katharine, and Alexander Roetering; great-grandchildren Max and Jack Arneson; and his sister, Mary Hruska.  Don was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Ervin and Eugene; and his sisters Henrietta, Helen, and Leona.