John Rockholt

Oregon- John I. "Dee" Rockholt, age 74 passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 27, 2013. He was born on May 31, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Olaf and Adeline (McCarthy) Rockholt. John was raised and dearly loved by his step father, Roy Keyworth. In 1956, John graduated from Chadsey High School in Detroit, Michigan. Following high school, John proudly enlisted in the United States Navy from August of 1956 to July of 1963. On September 26, 1985, John was united in marriage to Marian Derr. For over 40 years, John worked for Royal Prestige/Hycite as a distributor. The reason he never retired was he loved his job and working with people. He quoted. "If you find something that you love doing, then you will never work a day in your life!" Friends and family knew him best by doing everything he did, his way and joking with his mother -in-law, Genevieve Derr, giving her a hard time. John's passion and pride and joy was being able to attend all of his daughter, Toni's events over the years. In his spare time, John enjoyed boating, refurbishing his 1967 red convertible and was an avid Packer and Badger fan.
John is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Marian Rockholt of Oregon, his three children; Karen Rockholt of Michigan, Kevin (Vivian) Rockholt of Holland, MI and Toni Rockholt of Oregon, WI, five grandchildren; John, Jacob, Madeline, Michael and Lillian. He is also survived by many other loving family and numerous friends. John was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Christine Rockholt and mother-in-law Genevieve Derr. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1935 CTY V, East Bristol on Friday, May 31, 2013 at 11:00 am with Father Robert Butz presiding. A visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9:00 am until the time of Mass. Graveside services with military rites will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, East Bristol. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at St. Mary's Hospital ER, the Oregon and Madison EMT's and to all our dear family and friends for all their care, love and support given to our family during such a difficult time.
"Here's to living life to the fullest and I did it my way!"
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