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Jim Rottschafer

August 29, 1938 - February 4, 2021
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Monday, February 8, 2021
1:00 PM EST
Blythefield Christian Reformed Church
6350 Kuttshill Dr NE
Rockford, MI 49341
Web Site

Service

Monday, February 8, 2021
2:00 PM EST
Blythefield Christian Reformed Church
6350 Kuttshill Dr NE
Rockford, MI 49341

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, family and close friends only.

Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Alzheimer's Association - Michigan Great Lakes Chapter
200 Turwill Ln Suite 6
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
(269) 342-1482
Driving Directions
Web Site

Blythefield Christian Reformed Church
6350 Kuttshill Dr NE
Rockford, MI 49341
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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With a warm smile and a servant's heart, James Edward Rottschafer lived a life rich in faith, family, and friends. Jim was a kind and generous man who freely gave all that he could to lighten others' loads. Though a proud and stubborn man who struggled to accept help, he was always the first to support others. Jim embraced each day as a gift and every person as a friend. In so doing, he proved a powerful role model for others. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Jim will long be remembered and ever so missed.

Though 1938 held much to celebrate, including President Roosevelt's signing of The Fair Standards Act, Hollywood's film version of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," and Seabiscuit's astonishing "Race of the Century" win, the continued challenges of the Great Depression coupled with the systematic persecution of Jews in Europe, spread concern and fear across the globe. Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression and the growing conflict in Europe, many families found a way to continue to center their lives in love and hope for a brighter future. Nowhere was that hope more evident than in the home of John and Eva (Vroonland) Rottschafer of Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they welcomed their son Jim into their hearts and home on August 29.

The middle of the five Rottschafer kids, Jim grew up as the only boy in the family. He was particularly close to his younger sisters and was a great big brother to them. He attended Baxter Christian School and received his diploma from Ottawa Hills High School. His father, a paper cutter at Carpenter Paper Company, and his mother, a homemaker, created a home rich in family tradition and built upon the firm foundation of faith. The family lived at 1002 Dunham Street and attended Protestant Reformed Church.

Jim enlisted in the Army in 1957. During his two years of active duty, he was stationed at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, where he served as a cook. Jim continued his honorable service in the Army with four additional years of inactive duty.

In April of 1959, Jim had the good fortune of meeting Lois Whalen, who worked with his sister Eleanor at Houseman Clothing Store. Jim happened to see Lois' picture in his sister's wallet and was instantly smitten. Soon after, he asked Lois to join him at a church hymn sing held at Calvin College on Franklin Street. The pair quickly became a couple, and Jim proposed to her in November of that year. On September 9, 1960, the happy couple celebrated their love in a wedding ceremony at First Christian Reformed Church with Reverand William VanRees officiating. A joyful reception followed at Baxter Christian School, and the bride and groom enjoyed a week's honeymoon traveling through the U.P.

As newlyweds, Jim and Lois made their first home in an apartment at 310 Madison. For the next eight years, Jim worked at Carpenter Paper Company. He first worked as a paper cutter and then drove a truck. He would end up driving a truck for over 30 years. After leaving the paper company, he worked for Parker Motor Freight, Hennis-Spector, and retired in 1998 from Consolidated Freight.

In time, Jim and Lois moved to 33 Oneida before building their forever home on Bonneville Drive in 1965. It was in this home that Jim and Lois were blessed to welcome children to their family. Kenny was born in 1968 and Kimberly in 1970. Jim was a great dad. Very loving and supportive, Jim dedicated himself to creating a loving and supportive home. He enthusiastically participated in their activities and took great pleasure in sharing his passion for fishing with his kids. Family vacations to the U.P. centered on fishing. For a whole week, the family relished staying at Lois' brother's cottage on Chippewa Lake. The family also enjoyed an epic trip to Disney World.

Tragically, Kenny died when he was just 17 as a result of a car accident. His loss was very hard on his family. Jim deeply grieved the loss of his fishing and deer hunting partner, his son. Though Kenny's absence was always with him, by leaning into his faith and family, Jim began to heal.

Jim never hesitated to give of his time and talents in the service of others and modeled what it is to live a faith-centered life. For more than 50 years, Jim explored and celebrated his faith at Blythefield Christian Reformed Church, where he served as a deacon and cadet leader. He also helped care for the grounds. Without a doubt, Jim's proudest ministry at church was hosting an annual free fish fry for the seniors of the church. Much to Jim's credit, this event became a favorite for many in the church and great ministry for Jim and Lois.

As Jim's family grew to include grandchildren, Jim welcomed his new role with enthusiasm. He treasured his granddaughters and enjoyed taking care of them after retirement. Watching them grow, taking them fishing, and working with them in his garden were some of the highlights of their time together. Their fishing trips to Bostwick Lake always concluded with a stop at the donut shop. With great affection, Jim always said goodbye to his granddaughters with "Don't forget; Grandpa loves you."

Jim and Lois enjoyed traveling, including a memorable cruise to the Bahamas. Jim went on a 17 day trip to Alaska with close friends Tom Harkema and Andy Vandermeer.

In 2013, Jim was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. With great determination, Lois was able to lovingly care for him at home for seven years. Jim was able to attend his granddaughter Kathryn's wedding, which was a great joy for the whole family.

Clearly, the world feels less certain in the absence of Jim's steadfast presence. May we find comfort in our many treasured memories and in the honor of carrying his legacy forward. With each moment we chose our faith, challenge we meet with confidence, line we cast, adventure we share with our beloved, and service we volunteer, we celebrate the many ways Jim gifted our lives. In so doing, we keep his spirit alive and inspiring others as he so inspired us.

James Edward Rottschafer of Grand Rapids, MI, age 82, passed away to his heavenly home February 4, 2021. He was also preceded in death by his son, Kenneth John Rottschafer. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lois; daughter, Kimberly (Kerwin) Keen of Grand Rapids; granddaughters, Kathryn (Derek) Stone of Madison, AL, Kelly Keen of Grand Rapids; sisters, Ruth Peterson of Jenison, Arlene Kemink of Hessel, Eleanor Slabbekoorn of McBain, Donna (Jerry) Roelofs of Byron Center; in-laws, Ronald (Arlene) Whalen of Chippewa Lake, Neola Dykstra of Rockford; and several nieces and nephews. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a funeral service will be held with family and close friends on Monday, February 8, 2021, at 2 PM at Blythefield CRC, 6350 Kuttshill Dr. NE. Visitation will begin at 1 PM. Interment will be in Blythfield Memory Gardens. Memorials may be made to Blythefield CRC or to Alzheimer's Association. To read more of Jim's Life Story, leave a memory or condolence, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.

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