Joseph Aaron Roraff

Joseph AaronRoraff, 85, of La Crosse, passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at his home. Joe (Aaron) was born in La Crosse, WI on April 20, 1928 to Joseph and Helen (Lampert) Roraff. Aaron was a life-long resident of La Crosse. He graduated from La Crosse Central High School in 1945. He began working at Benson Optical when he was 16 years old and worked there for 38 years. This was interrupted for two years from 1950 to 1952 when he entered the U.S. Army with the 379th Evacuation Hospital SMBI in Baumholder, Germany. When Benson Optical closed their lab, Aaron went to work for Soderberg Optical until he retired. In retirement, he delivered flowers for a local flower shop, delivered Meals on Wheels, volunteered as a wheelchair transporter at Gundersen Lutheran, and drove people around for appointments through RSVP.

Aaron married his wife, Dorothy Marie Amundson on May 22, 1954. They have been married for 59 years. They had two children, Brian Aaron Roraff and Kathryn Jo (Roraff) Olson; as well as many foster children and children they babysat.

Aaron bowled for many years with the Lutheran League with his dumb bowling ball. Since his wife Dorothy never drove, he always did the family grocery shopping and usually ventured away from the grocery list to pick up num nums. Aaron enjoyed going out for breakfast at Fayzes with the boys and looked forward to eating Chinese food with his friend, Glen. Aaron loved to sing in his churchs choir and counted money for church for many years. His greatest joys were his children, his 9 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. He always had the latest Winnie-the-Pooh videos to watch with them and a stuffed Pooh character for them to hold.

Aarons family will miss him terribly but find great joy in knowing that their husband, dad, brother, grandpa, and great-grandpa knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior; they know they will be reunited with him someday in Heaven where there will be no more tears or sadness.

Aaron is survived by his best friend and loving and caring wife, Dorothy, his children: his daughter, Kathryn (John) Olson, his son, Brian (Mary) Roraff, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Bethany (Kevin) Henry & Briella, Caleb, Caedmon & new baby; Micah Roraff; Natalie (Timothy) Johnson & Dylan, Reid, Ruby, and Levi; Grayson (Brittany) Roraff; Laura (Jonathan) Oebser; Joseph (Kendal) Roraff & Addison; Katrina (Carel) Lategan; Daniel Roraff; and Faith Roraff. He is also survived by his sister Ruby (Harold) Wunnecke and their three daughters: Pamela Vang, Sharon Ver Ploeg, and Susan Drangstveit. Aaron was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Harold Wunnecke.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church at the corner of 26th and Ward Avenue, La Crosse, WI on Friday, July 26th. Pastor Jonathan Rimmert will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30am until the time of the service at 11:00am. Burial will be at the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer that memorials be given to Grace Ev. Lutheran Church or Coulee Christian School in West Salem.

The family would like to extend their sincerest thank you to Gundersen Healthcare Hospice personnel who were so special to them in their kind and loving care of Aaron. Thank you so much and Gods blessings to you all.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4: 7-8.