Paul Joseph Roettele

Paul Joseph Roettele of Aurora, CO. passed away peacefully with his family at his side on March 12, 2016. Paul was born in Elkhorn, Nebraska on June 29, 1919 and was the youngest child of Charles and Annie (O'Brien) Roettele. He grew up on the family farm in Nebraska where he participated in 4-H and played basketball at school. It was there that he developed a life-long appreciation for hard work and a strong sense of responsibility. He attended high school in Elkhorn and was the last surviving member of the graduating class of 1937. He attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, where he was an officer in the ROTC program. He left the University prior to graduation to join the Army and serve in World War II. Paul served from July 1941 until January 1946 and, upon his release from active duty, served in the Army Reserves from 1948-1965. Paul returned to active duty at Fort Ord, CA from September 1961 to October 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from military service in 1965. Paul married Betty Litjen on May 14, 1942. They enjoyed a long and happy life together, raising 7 children. During their marriage, Paul worked as a sales representative for the Ford dealer in Grand Island, Nebraska. He later worked as an engineering sales representative in custom truck and equipment design for a variety of companies, including Badger Body in Omaha, Jacobs Equipment and Huckfeldt in Denver, Co. Paul and Betty lived in the Denver area starting in 1965, moved to Sidney, Nebraska from 1974 to 1977, and then moved back to Aurora, Colorado. Following Betty's death in 1987, Paul married Carol Eichenberger of Wisconsin on April 6, 1991. She passed away in October, 2009. His children have fond memories of him bringing home school buses and giving them rides in big bucket trucks. He enjoyed engineering and design throughout his life and was known for creating solutions to simplify things, whether it be strong and functional tomato cages for the garden, or a custom designed stand for Betty's needlework. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Annie (O'Brien) Roettele, his brothers, Carl and John, sister, Marialice, one infant grandson, Ross Roettele, in 1984; his wife Betty in 1987; his eldest daughter Beth Upah in 2009; second wife Carol in 2009; and son-in-law Bob Matthes in 2015. He is survived by his children, Robert (Delores) Roettele of Lincoln, NE; Stephen (Marguerite) Roettele of Valdosta, GA; Margaret (Barbara Donily) of Rifle, CO; Joan Matthes of Sidney, NE; Rebecca (Richard) Winters of Aurora, CO and Camille (Neil) Prenn of Reno NV. His 11 grandchildren include Roxanne, Brandon, Jennifer, Shaughn, Krista, Kortney, Kaitlyn, Audrey, James, David and Robert. He has 8 great- grandchildren and numerous extended family members including Carol's children. Paul was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church at the time of his death, and a member of the 4th Order of the Knights of Columbus. He was a devout Catholic who attended daily Mass for many years. His faith was an unshakable mainstay in his life. Paul will be missed by all who knew him. He will be remembered as a devoted family man who was interested in tracing his German roots back through the generations as well as nurturing the day-to-day relationships with his family and friends. Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Sunday, March 20, 2016, Horan & McConaty, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave. Aurora, CO 80014, 4:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 21, 2016, St. Michael the Archangel Church, 19099 E. Floyd Ave. Aurora, CO 80013, 10:30 a.m. Military Graveside Services, Ft. Logan Cemetery, 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, CO, Tuesday, 9 a.m. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be sent to : Little Sisters of the Poor, Mullen Home, 3629 W. 29th Ave., Denver, CO 80211. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 1400 Carr St. Lakewood, CO 80214. Please share your memories of Paul and condolences with is family by signing the guestbook below.