John Roth

John Roth, 91, died May 3, 2020 at LaCrosse Health & Rehabilitation in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

John was born on the family farm August 25, 1928 to Valentine and Katherine (Goetz) Roth. He married Lillian M. Hammrich Sept. 30, 1952 in Ipswich. Lillian passed away May 17, 2019. They were together 67 years.

John spent his whole life in the mining business. He worked at the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead for 14 years, later moving to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to work at the Bunker Hill Mine in Kellogg, Idaho for 17 years until it shut down. He then worked as a Security Guard for several years before fully retiring.

John was a self-taught musician. He could play the electric organ, piano, guitar, harmonica, and accordion. As a young man he once bought an accordion from Lawrence Welk’s father during hard times. Years later when Lawrence became famous John tried to give it back to Lawrence but he was reluctant because John had no proof that it had actually belonged to his dad.

He loved to listen to his polka music. He had many recorded tapes and kept them chair-side next to his cassette player. John also enjoyed gardening. Together with Lillian they would plant a large garden every year canning and giving away the fruits of their labor.

John is preceded in death by his parents and all his siblings, Magdalena, George, Julia and Kasper. He is survived only by his sister-in-law Tillie Roth of Lead, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside Services will be September 4, 2020 at 10 a.m. at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Arrangements are with Yates Funeral Home of Coeur d’Alene.