Joseph Sylvester Rothmeier
Joseph Sylvester Rothmeier age 85, of Springfield, MN died on May 14, 2023, at New Ulm Medical Center in New Ulm, MN. Visitation will be on Friday, May 19, 2023, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at the St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springfield, MN. Service will be held at the St. Raphael Catholic Church on Friday at 10:30 am. The clergy will be Father Garrett Ahlers. Interment will be at the St. Raphael Catholic Cemetery in Springfield, MN. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield, MN. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Joseph Sylvester Rothmeier was born on December 30, 1937 in Three Lakes Township to Joseph and Annie (Boettger) Rothmeier Sr. of Clements, MN. He attended country school at District 105 for 8 years and Morgan Public School for 9th and 10th grades. He was drafted into the Army in August 1961 and served 18 months in Germany, receiving an honorable discharge in 1963. After returning home, Joe began farming with his 3 brothers. He shelled corn for neighbors, bailed hay, picked rocks, pulled weeds, milked cows and raised steers, pigs, and buffalo.
On April 21, 1965, Joe was united in marriage to JoAnn Haas at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church in Springfield. They adopted and raised 2 sons, Jason and Jeffrey. The family lived on the farm and butchered hogs, cows, chickens, ducks and buffalo and made many batches of sausage. In 2000, Joe and JoAnn moved into Springfield.
Joe and JoAnn traveled throughout the U.S. except for Oregon and Washington. They shared trips to Hawaii, Panama Canal, Germany, Austria, Canada, and cruises to Alaska. During the summer they enjoyed time at Diamond Lake camping with friends. In the winter months, Joe and JoAnn made trips to Panama City Beach in Florida. Together they also enjoyed casino hopping. When they weren’t traveling, Joe could be found fishing, deer hunting, or gambling. He was a member St. Raphael’s Catholic Church, the American Legion in Springfield, and the New Ulm VFW.
He is survived by his wife JoAnn of Springfield; sons – Jason Rothmeier of Clements and Jeffrey (Stephanie) Rothmeier of New Richmond, WI; 3 grandchildren – Vincent, Pierce, and Fiona Rothmeier; Godchild – Christine (Rick) Schmoll and her children – Brittany (Jesse) Lindall and their daughter, Noa, Brady (Haley) Schmoll and their daughter, Amelia, and Blaine Schmoll. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents and brothers – Leonard, Reinhold, and James (Barb) Rothmeier.