Joseph Rohrich

Joseph R. Rohrich Sr., 86, Steele, died March 3, 2008, at Medcenter One Golden Manor, Steele. Services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Steele ND. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Joe was born on December 16, 1921, the son of John and Johanna Bitz Rohrich at Linton, ND. He was raised and educated at Napoleon, ND. At an early age, he enjoyed helping his father raise draft horses. They were very proud of the many awards that they received at the County and State Fairs. Joe joined the U.S. Army in 1942 and served as a Military Police Officer at Camp Chaffee at Ft. Smith, AR, during World War II. On May 7, 1945, Joe married Margaret Norling in Napoleon, ND. They lived northeast of Napoleon for a short time and then moved to Kidder County, where they lived on what was formerly known as the Armstrong Ranch, which was located in the hills north of Steele. In the spring, he enjoyed riding his favorite horse, Socks, while checking their Hereford cattle. A few years later, they moved three miles north of Steele where they farmed, ranched, operated a dairy business and raised their nine children. Upon retirement, they moved five miles west of Steele where they currently reside. Grandpa Joe especially cherished the times with his grandchildren and he would often treat them with various choices of chocolates or ice-cream. Joe is survived by his wife of 62 years, Margaret; five sons and four daughters, James, Joseph Jr. Nita both of Dawson, ND, Marsha Alan Fairchild of Livingston, MT, Sharon Lawrence Biegler of Steele, ND, Janet Ernie Pfaff of Tappen, ND, Steven Pam, Michael Sheila both of Steele, ND, Harvey Trish of Washburn, ND and Debra Ty DeWitz of Tappen, ND; 21 grandchildren of which one grandson is currently serving in Iraq; 22 great-grandchildren and nine step-grandchildren; five sisters, Elizabeth Kaplan, Kathryn Bauer, Frances Heinze, Jean Persoon and Mary Ann Hiddleson and numerous nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Robert Alan Pfaff; six brothers, Clemens, John Jr., George, Edmund, John and Valentine and two sisters, Maggie Regner and Margaret Zirbes.

Joseph Rohrich

December 16, 1921 - March 3, 2008