Edwin Rohrbeck of Watkins died peacefully on March 1, 2004, at Meeker County Memorial Hospital in Litchfield. He was 85. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 5, at St. Gertrude Catholic Church in Forest City with Rev. Patrick Casey officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. Edwin Walter Rohrbeck was born July 4, 1918, in Forest Prairie Township, Meeker County, to Walter and Sophia (Rosenow) Rohrbeck. Ed was united in marriage to Katherine Horwath June 15, 1939, in Forest City; she preceded him in death Aug. 17, 1992. They were life-long residents of Forest Prairie Township in Meeker County. They lived on a farm near Forest City and then owned the Riverside Store in Forest City for many years. In later years, Ed was a friendly face at the farmers’ market where he sold homemade jams, jellies and hand-made rugs. He loved to winter in McAllen, Texas. Ed spent the last year as a resident of Gloria Dei in Litchfield. He was known for his great love of music and dancing, and his wonderful sense of humor. He will be sadly missed by family and friends. Ed was preceded in death by his wife Katherine, daughter-in-law Joyce Rohrbeck, grandson Randy Rohrbeck, great-granddaughter Jessica Adellman, and sister Madaline Stelton. He is survived by his children Eddie Rohrbeck (and friend Rose Renner) of Watkins, Sharon (and Lloyd) Shoutz of Watkins, Darlene (and Bill) Whitcomb of Clearwater, Shirley (and George) Leppa of Big Lake, and Linda (and Steven) Fluck of Carlton; 18 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters Esther Goebel of Excelsior, mabel Draxton of California, Frank (and Caroline) Horwath of Forest City, Lawrence (and June) Horwath of Litchfield, and Laura Klein of Litchfield. Casket bearers will be Michael Rohrbeck, Lloyd Shoutz, David Whitcomb, Doreen Leppa, Joshua Fluck and Tony Shoutz. Music was provided by organist Cindy Knutson. Arrangements were by Ertl Funeral Home of Watkins.
