Owen Roth

Owen Richard Roth, 94 of Washington, died Friday, November 19, 2021 at Halycon House in Washington.

Private family graveside will be held at Bethel Cemetery.

Owen Richard Roth was born on July 25, 1927 in Milford, Nebraska to Nicholas and Barbara Ellen (Miller) Roth. He had one brother, Neal Roth, and three sisters, Doris Graber, Kathryn Nebel, and Lois Swan, all whom preceded him in death. He was united in marriage to Betty Lou (Boshart) on December 19, 1948 at Sugar Creek Mennonite Church in Wayland, Iowa. Betty died four months before their 60th wedding anniversary.

They had three daughters who survive them: Janice Roth of Noblesville, IN, Judy Yoder of Kalona, IA, and Jolene Bearden of Independence, KS. They were also blessed with five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. The surviving brother-in-law is Robert Boshart and his wife Elaine of Frytown. For the past 12 years Owen was grateful for the kindness of his friend, Carol Lynch of Washington.

At the age of 11, Owen’s father moved their entire family from the Dust Bowl of Nebraska to the fertile fields of Iowa. They had few possessions, equipped only with a strong faith in God and the willingness to work hard. The lessons learned during this period of his life served him well. He worked tirelessly as a farmer for decades, even doing custom baling up to the age of 87. If he wasn’t farming, he would be talking about it to anyone who would listen.