David Sterling Roth Obit

DAVID STERLING ROTH was born Dec. 17,1942 at the Rush City hospital to Sterling and Ruth (Loomis) Roth. David grew up with his younger sister Irene on a dairy farm near McGrath. David married Mary Lou Erickson from Finlayson  on June 7,1963 at the Calvary Presbyterian Church in McGrath. They lived a few years near the Twin Cities and in Wausau, WI before purchasing David's grandfather's farm near McGrath and settling down to raise their two children Renee and David, Jr.  After their children left home they moved to Deerwood. Dave worked for his cousin Harlen Roth for over 20 years as a mechanic and gravel crushing machine operator. He often worked away in northern Minnesota regions.  David spent his final years, until his health required him to reluctantly retire, working as an OTR Truck driver for Nelson Trucking Deerwood and lastly Revelle Trucking McGregor  with his best buddy, Welsh Corgi "Cody" in the seat beside him. David enjoyed fishing the Brainerd Lakes or motorhome camping with Mary Lou. Often taking a grandkid or two along. He enjoyed socializing most mornings at the cafés in Crosby-Deerwood area. David liked to tell a good joke and was a big teaser. And their coffee buddies were lots of company for him and Mary Lou. David was especially proud of the big family of grandchildren, and better yet great-grandchildren. In the last couple years he'd shed a tear or two when we would tally up just how many his brood grew each year. He was very proud of them.  David and Mary Lou relocated to the Brooten area when their health required more family help.   David and Mary Lou were both living at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck the recent year. David is preceded in death by his parents, Sterling and Ruth; his step-father, Fred Rezabek; grandparents, his father-in-law, Enio Erickson and mother-in-law, Sadie Erickson and infant grandchild Cody Roth. David is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Lou; daughter, Renee and son-in-law, Michael Bjork of Brooten; son David, Jr. of Pine River and former daughter-in-law of 28 years, Kerri Roth of Brainerd; sister, Irene Ripka of Ogilvie and her three sons Darrin (Lynn) Bier, Kevin (Melissa) Bier, Ryan (Mandi) Bier and their sons and daughters; grandchildren, Derrick Bjork, Brooten, Jordan (Danae) Bjork, Belgrade, Rachel Bjork (Josh Holden) Forada, Hannah Bjork, Brooten, Naomi (Anthony) Formo, Glenwood, Mitchell Bjork and Theodore Bjork, Brooten, David Jr, Boise, ID, Blake (Delaine) St. Joseph, Brandis Wynn, Brainerd, Jared Roth, Brainerd, Jacob (Crystal) Roth, Pine River; Great-Grandchildren, Aydin, Sophia, Reid, Oliver, Lily, Cecelia, Clara, Emmaline, Scarlett, Ada, Eastyn, Emery, Emberlyn, Everett, Dakota, Evelyn, Luka , Avery and baby due in December 2021. A Funeral Service will be 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 17 at the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.  Burial will be at the Pliney Cemetery in McGrath at a later date.  A visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday.