Elizabeth "Betty" Marie (Frantzen) Rotach

Elizabeth Marie “Betty” Rotach, 96, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, November 23, 2017, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester, surrounded by her beloved family.  She was born on April 13, 1921, in LaGrange, Illinois, the daughter of Louis and Mae (Rathbun) Frantzen.  She graduated from Manchester High School in 1939.

On March 3,1944, Betty was united in marriage to John Gottlieb Rotach in Manchester. Four children were born to this union. John passed away suddenly on December 28, 1975. Betty worked as a telephone operator before her children were born. Following John’s death, she began as an in-home daycare provider and was known by many kids as “the best babysitter” and a “second grandma”.  Betty loved children and opening up her warm home and heart to them. She was also known as an exceptional pie baker, in particular, her apple and sour cream raisin.

Betty especially enjoyed spending time with her family, friends and wonderful neighbors. She was an active member of Community Congregational Church until her health declined. At the time of her death, Betty was the oldest living member of her church. She will be remembered most for her kind, quiet and gentle spirit.  Family meant the world to Betty.

Betty is lovingly survived by two sons, Bob(Julia) Rotach of Waukon and Dan(Judy) Rotach of Forest Lake, Minnesota; one daughter, Sheryl (Rick) Harbaugh of Manchester; five grandchildren, John Rotach, Beth Rotach-Mullin, Carise Rotach-Beard, Caleb Rotach, and Megan Harbaugh; and five great- grandchildren, Lilly and Ian Rotach, June and Mabel Mullin, and Cash Michael Beard.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Rotach; all her siblings; and her son, Larry on September 5, 2017.

 Service Information