Gene Rogotzke age 69 of Wabasso passed away Saturday, December 24, 2011 at Avera-McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 28 at the Redwood Valley Funeral Home in Redwood Falls.

Visitation will be 4:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.  Interment will be held at a later date.   Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  *In lieu of flowers and plants, please bring a single red rose in loving memory of Gene, or a memorial of the family’s choice.

Eugene “Gene” Lee Rogotzke was born May 14, 1942 to Wilbert and Orpha (Piper) Rogotzke at the Springfield Hospital.  He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Sanborn, MN.  He attended Zion’s parochial school in Sanborn for grades 1-7.  For 8th through 12th grade, he attended Sanborn High School where he enjoyed playing football and basketball for the Panthers.  He graduated from high school in May of 1960.  After a short stay working at a nursery in Minneapolis, Gene returned to Sanborn to drive milk truck for AMPI Dairy in New Ulm.  On June 3rd, 1962, he married his high school sweetheart, Sandy Timm.  They started farming in September of 1962 milking cows on a farm close to Sandy’s parents’ farm in Willow Lake Township.  In 1969, the family moved to a farm west of Wabasso where he farmed for 43 years with great pride.  Gene and Sandy have three children, Kim, Kris, and Korey.  Gene loved farming and the family helped, learning the value of hard work.  He enjoyed going to their musical and sporting events.  As the grandchildren came, he also enjoyed going to their activities.  He received great joy from his family even as it has grown to include two great-grandchildren.  He sold Pioneer Seed for ten years, helped Sandy with the Bed and Breakfast business, and worked at Tersteeg’s Grocery Store in Redwood Falls.  Gene was working at the store right up until the day he got sick.  He was also actively farming with his son Kris.  He enjoyed his church family, and Sunday was an important day for him.  Gene and Sandy would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June 2012.

Gene is survived by his wife Sandy, and three children: Kim (Rick) Petersen of Redwood Falls, Kris (Barb) Rogotzke of Wabasso, and Korey (Karen) Rogotzke of Altamont, NY; grandchildren: Miranda (Josh) Schunk and two great-grandchildren Shaun and Melinda all of Windom, Megan (Kylie) Gibson of Apple Valley, Mitchell Petersen (and his special friend Beth) of Brookings, SD, Shawna and Cassie Rogotzke of Wabasso, Connor, Evan, and Kristian Rogotzke of Altamont, NY.  He is also survived by his siblings: Jackie (Rich) Schiller, Garrey (Karin) Rogotzke; brother-in-law James (Sharon) Timm; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends from church.  Blessed be his memory, thou good and faithful servant.