Obituary: Walter Edward Roth

As received from the Jacobson Funeral Home: 

Walter Edward Roth, 91, of L’Anse, Michigan passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of September 14, 2024 at his home with his loving family by his side.

“Wally” was born on September 22, 1932 to George and Malinda (Smith) Roth in Shawano, Wisconsin. Wally served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean War. After he returned from the war, he married Carol Haanpaa on October 22, 1955 at L’Anse First Lutheran Church. They were married for 68 years! Wally worked as a truck driver for Elmblad Logging Co, delivered propane for Ala Gas, and worked for Kotila’s Tire Service until purchasing it in 1968, and operated it as Wally’s Tire Service until he retired in 1994.

Wally was fearlessly independent, highly industrious, staggeringly resilient and there was never a task he didn’t attack without purpose, vision and tenacity. Most of the time we avoid chores, Wally loved jobs! His strong work-ethic traits defined Wally, they were a part of who he was and his strength undoubtedly helped him deal with the peaks and valleys of life. He did everything with honesty and integrity and instilled in others a humility like none other. He had an enormous heart, respecting all people without judgment and never said a bad word about anybody. Wally gave everyone the benefit of the doubt.

His faith in the Lord was unwavering and he was always generous and selfless with his time by giving back to his community; he served as an Honor Guard for the American Legion, was a member of the United Lutheran Church and worked tirelessly on numerous church projects. After losing their son Roger, a smokejumper in the 1994 Storm King Mountain Fire, Wally and Carol dedicated years of service to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation working with grieving families who lost loved ones in fires, Wally also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, and with The Hanka Homestead (now a historical museum).

He was clever, with a dry sense of humor and full to the brim with knowledge gained through his experiences including serving in the Korean War, truck driver, home builder, mechanic, fisherman, hunter, self-employed owner of his own tire service business.

He was Mr. Fix-It, a natural craftsman and a lover of the great outdoors; log splitting, creating sculpture with wood, mowing lawn, restoring and fixing everything that had a motor or repairing anything broken, fishing, hunting, and to top it off his garden was EPIC!

Surviving are his wife Carol Roth of L’Anse; son Jim (Staci) Roth of Thousand Oaks, CA; sister Gladys (Jon) Telschow of Ukiah, CA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and God Children.

Preceding him in death are his parents George and Malinda; son Roger Roth; brothers, Jesse, George Jr, Jackie, Eugene “Pat”; sisters, Ida Mae Charles, Mary Roth, and Dorothy Pike.

’He fought the good fight; he finished the race and he kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7)! His legacy will carry on forever reminding us that we control our attitudes with humility, respect and grace and with servant hearts our lives will forever make a difference in the lives of others. Wally did just that. “Well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23)

Visitation will be on Thursday, September 19th from 10:30-12:00 p.m. at L’Anse United Lutheran Church. His funeral service will be at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Julie Belew officiating.

A luncheon will follow the service in the church hall. Burial will be in the L’Anse Evergreen Cemetery with Baraga County Area Veterans conducting military rites at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may go to the Roger Roth Memorial Scholarship Fund https://Lanseschools.org/contact.php or United Lutheran Church in L’Anse https://www.unitedlutheranchurchlanse.org

Jacobson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign Wally’s guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.