Obituary
Dorothy Marie Roraff
I Corinthians 13:13 “Now abideth Faith, Hope, and Love, but the greatest of these is Love.” Alzheimers may have robbed our mom of many things, but it never took away her love of her God and her family. After a visit with mom, she would always say “I love you, I love you”. She once told her granddaughters “I love you, I love you – I like loving you” through closed sleepy eyes. We always knew she loved us and we could feel it. Dorothy Marie Amundson Roraff was born in Cashton, WI on May 06, 1934 and passed away on April 22, 2021.
Mom had a huge heart which she shared not only with the people she loved, but with the children she babysat and did foster care for. She also loved all animals and especially her pet cat, Moosie. We had animals all through our growing up years, but Moosie held a special place because that is who was with her day in and day out when she was caring for our father when he was sick and eventally passed. Music filled our home and she loved to be entertained by her children, grandchildren, and great – grandchildren. We will always remember her as a great cook and not giving us options if we wanted seconds or thirds as she plopped another helping of mashed potatoes and gravy on our plates. She loved telling stories of growing up on a farm in the Cashton area. She was known for her beautiful flower garden on the side of her driveway on Losey Boulevard. It was very important for mom and dad that we receive a Christian education and worked hard to make that happen. That legacy continues today as grandchildren and great-grandchildren are learning about Jesus as their Savior and committing their lives to doing His work as missionaries and in everything they do in their daily lives. Mom worked for twenty-six years at La Crosse Footwear/Rubber Mills. She still is in contact with some of her co-workers and loves them dearly.
Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Kathryn (John) Olson, son, Brian (Mary) Roraff, her grandchildren, Bethany (Kevin) Henry, Natalie (Timothy) Johnson, Laura (Jonathan) Oebser, Micah (Andrea) Roraff, Grayson (Britany) Roraff, Joseph (Kendal) Roraff, Katrina (Carel) Latagan, Daniel (Treasure) Roraff, and Faith Roraff. She is also survived by 24 great- grandchildren who lovingly called her “Grandma Ro-Ro”. She is further survived by three beloved sister-in-laws, Jane Amundson, Lena Amundson, and Ruby Wunnecke and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Joseph Aaron Roraff, her parents, Knut and Katrina Amundson, her 6 brothers and their wives, Alf (Margaret) Amundson, Elmer (Alice) Amundson, Erling Amundson, Victor (Ella Mae) Amundson, Rueben (Violet) Amundson, Donald Amundson, three sisters, Evelyn (Ray) Currier, Selma (Oscar) Hendrickson, and Gladys (Earl) Pralle, and brother-in-law Harold Wunnecke.
Dorothy has already been laid to rest beside her husband, Aaron at Mormon Coulee Cemetery and we invite those who knew her to a celebration of her life on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason Street, Onalaska, WI 54650 at 11:00am with visitation beginning at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, we ask that memorials be given in Dorothy’s name to Christ/St. Johns in West Salem and/or Coulee Region Christian School in West Salem. Dorothy’s family would also like to thank the hospice team at Mayo Healthcare Systems and the staff at Traditions Assisted Care/Memory Care Facility in La Crescent, MN for their compassionate and understanding care of our mom during her time with them. Her favorite hymn was “I know that my Redeemer Lives”, and now she gets to see Him face to face, but her love lives on.
Please follow this link to watch a recording of Dorothy’s memorial service:https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/TEGA2SuiwkKhU_UPJuwEbzhmRHSDB9MWweldE7ifzA8peVg7HighmL1_yA1AsQOM.kayX_CO1V6HNZmfd
My prayers and deepest sympathy to all of Dorothy’s family. I remember her well from our years of working together at The La Crosse Rubber Mills.
She was a special Lady!!!!!
Thank you. She cared deeply for her co-workers and friends at the Rubber Miller.
Our sympathy to the family. Have many fond memories of your mom and dad at Grace Lutheran Church. Also those days when our son, David went to grade school at Mt. Calvary/Grace with Brian
To my friends the Olson’s and Roraff’s. Your mom and grandma was very nice to us-even when we didn’t deserve it! She lives and I can’t wait to see her again-because I too know that my Redeemer lives. To those of you that call her Grandma ro-ro-that is very cool. I have a nick name close to that (REV RY RO) and though you may be saddened-I pray that all of you can find the peace that passes all human understanding and reminisce about all the fun times. Thinking and praying for all of you.
Ryan Robbert
Love it. Rev Ry Ro. I always feel that when someone gives you a knick name, that it is a sign of true affection and love. You must be loved by your congregation. And yes, we are sad thinking about the family events she will never physically be at again, but know we will see her in the blink of an eye. Blessings to you and your family. Hope your mom and dad and Rob are doing well also.
Kathy and Brian, My Thoughts, Prayers and Sadness are with You and All your
Family at the loss of your Mother, Dorothy. For many years I had a close relationship with the Amundson family. God Bless All of you with Peace and Wonderful Memories.
Oh Ruth: Thank you for our wonderful words. You did have a close relationship with all the Amundsons. We have a few pictures of you attending the many celebrations put on to honor Knut and Katie. Mom was the last of the 10 siblings. Lena Amundson (Erling’s wife who is 95 years old) and Jane Amundson (Donnie’s ex) are the only surviving of the clan excluding nieces and nephews. But mom always spoke so highly of you and we have memories of you being this beautiful woman with such a kind heart. God Bless You and your family.
Kathy – John and family
Mary – Brian and family
Your Mom was a very special lady. Will always remember her for the beautiful flowers on Losey Blvd. Love driving by seeing her working in her flowers wearing her hat.
Our Deepest Sympathy!
Dick and Jan Dahlke
Dick and Jan: Thank you for your kind words. Both mom and dad are together now and that makes us happy. She had a rough couple of years without him and the sickness was no fun to deal with for her and us. Yes, mom’s flower gardens were amazing. Brian is the one who really inherited her green thumb. His house in West Salem is always so pretty during the summer. You made me laugh about her hat. I can picture her in it. God Bless you both and Todd and his family.
Prayers and thoughts for the family. Mrs. Roraff will be sadly missed. Wish we could been at the memorial, but want to share our condolences.