Elizabeth Rothschadl

Much loved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, Elizabeth "Betty" Rothschadl, age 87, Detroit Lakes, MN, died September 25, 2011, at Oak Crossing assisted living facility in Detroit Lakes after a 15-year battle with a spinal infection which left her partially paralyzed. Recently, she had been weakened by pneumonia and other infections. A lifelong resident of the Becker County area, Elizabeth was born October 16, 1924, at her parents' Ogema, MN, home. She married Jim N. Rothschadl on October 12, 1943. Jim and Betty settled on the Stech farmstead near Ogema where they lived more than 50 years. Elizabeth was a true pioneer woman of legendary strength and energy. She took equal part in the farm's operation from driving tractor and feeding livestock to running through pastures to round up loose cows. Elizabeth also had her hands full, feeding and tending to a large family of nine children. She planned, prepared, and cleaned up after three full meals a day for more than 50 years. In the farm's early days, she sewed all her children's clothes and washed them in an old-fashioned hand wringer-washer. She rose at 6 a.m. every morning for a three mile walk before starting a full day of farm work. In addition to farm and house work, Elizabeth was equally busy with community, school and church activities. She was a member of Ladies' Sodality, numerous quilting and homemaking clubs, the VFW Women's Auxiliary, a volunteer for the Red River Valley Hospice program, and a participant in all her kids' school activities. Elizabeth was also active in the Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Ogema for more than 50 years, and later a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Detroit Lakes. Recognized for their accomplishments, Elizabeth and Jim were chosen Becker County Farmer and Homemaker of the Year in 1985. Elizabeth was a sweet, thoughtful person, and a tremendous role model with her optimism, energy, and determination. In 1994 Elizabeth also became ill with a rare spinal infection left her paralyzed from the waist down. Only after months of arduous physical and occupational therapy did she regain the use of her legs. A few years later, the infection flared up again, once again paralyzing her from the waist down. Despite her disability, Elizabeth continued to stay busy in her retirement years, looking after grandchildren, exercising, socializing with relatives and neighbors, making quilts, doing embroidery, cooking, playing rummy, and tending to colorful flower gardens around the house. Elizabeth Rothschadl is survived by nine children: Jeanette (Ted) Hanwick of Minnetonka, MN; Barbara of Minneapolis, MN; Mary (Bill) Leff of Detroit Lakes, MN; Betty (Charles) Prussia of Callaway, MN; James M. of Grand Forks, ND; Judy of Ogema, MN; Mark of Waubun, MN; David of Minneapolis, MN; and Paul of Philadelphia, PA. She also leaves behind 10 grandchildren: Christine Hanwick, Tim Hanwick, Matthew Leff, Mitch (Senta Gorrie) Leff, Chelsea Leff, Josh (Amy Johnson) Prussia, Kurt Sylvan, Jimmy D. Rothschadl, Annie Rothschadl and Sam Rothschadl. In addition, Elizabeth is survived by five great grandchildren: Sydney, Taylor and Laura Prussia, daughters of Joshua; Henry Leff (son of Mitch) and Will Leff (son of Matthew Leff). Her surviving siblings are Frank Stech, Sr., of Waubun, MN, Ted (Virginia) Stech of the Twin Cities and Ann Rothschadl of Detroit Lakes, plus numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband Jim N. Rothschadl in 1995, sisters: Mary and Christine and brothers: Bill and Jack.

Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Service
Friday, September 30, 2011
cemetery
Friday, September 30, 2011

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