Norman Dean Rothfolk

Norman Dean, son of James and Sophie (Grau) Rothfolk, was born February 16, 1923 in Audubon County, Iowa. He grew up south of Manning and attended rural school through the eighth grade. He then went to Manning Schools, graduating with the Class of 1941. He then started farming with his father. In August of 1944, Norman entered the United States Army at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. He served in the European African Eastern Theater with the 80th Infantry. He was wounded in action in Germany on March 13, 1945 and received his honorable discharge on November 14, 1945 at Topeka, KS. He was awarded the Purple Heart as well as a Bronze Battle Star and World War II Victory Ribbon. After recovering from his wound, he resumed farming on the Rothfolk family farm with his dad. Norman was united in marriage on May 6, 1956 with Mary Jane Grage at Manning. They were the parents of five children. Norman and Mary Jane farmed until 1975 when Norman retired, however they continued to live on the farm until 1992 when they moved to Grimes. In his spare time, Norman enjoyed camping, traveling to the mountains and messing around outdoors, especially growing flowers in their yard. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Norman was a member of the United Methodist Church and had a life membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and the Order of the Purple Heart. When Norman's health began to give him trouble in 2006 they returned to the farm south of Manning to be nearer family. He had many hospitalizations and surgeries over the years and on Monday, November 8, 2010 he returned to the VA Hospital in Des Moines where he died on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at the age of 87 years, 8 months and 28 days. Preceding him in death are his parents; sisters Lorraine Gruhn, Elda Barten and Eileen Mundt. Norman is survived by his wife Mary Jane Rothfolk of Manning; children: Craig Rothfolk and wife Twyla of Bloomington, MN; Cindy and husband Bob Bubon of Des Moines; Kathy Rothfolk of Manning; Lori Ann and husband Michael Trecker of Manning and Mary Jane and husband Eric Desing of Baxter, MN; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters Delores and husband William Fastje of Denison and Mary Ann and husband Spence Birchard of Beaumont, CA; two sisters-in-laws Wanda Grage of Portland, OR and Marilyn Avey of Lincoln, NE; other relatives and friends. Visitation WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2010 AFTER 4:00 PM OHDE FUNERAL HOME MANNING, IOWA Funeral Service THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2010 10:30 AM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MANNING, IOWA REVEREND ANGIE LOOMIS Processional "AMERICA" "BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC" Hymns "AMAZING GRACE" "HOW GREAT THOU ART" VOCAL SOLO "ON EAGLE'S WINGS" KEVIN AVEY RECESSIONAL "ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS" JOANNE KARSTEN, ORGANIST Casket Bearers AARON ROTHFOLK JENICA ROTHFOLK JANELLE ROTHFOLK JAROD TRECKER JUSTIN TRECKER MIKE BUBON Honorary Casket Bearers MELISSA BUBON LIBBY TRECKER DEVIN DESING ALYSSA ROTHFOLK Interment with Military Honors American Legion Emil Ewoldt Post 22 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3517 MANNING CEMETERY MANNING, IOWA