Joseph B. Rottinghaus

Joseph B. Rottinghaus, 86, died Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, at Good Shepherd Health Care Center, Mason City.

A Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 1, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Josh Link officiating.  Burial was in Clear Lake Cemetery.  Military honors were conducted by members of the Clear Lake V.F.W. Post 4868.

A visitation was held on held Friday, Sept. 30, from 5-7 p.m. with a rosary service at 7 p.m., at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake.

Memorials may be directed to the Sisters of the Presentation, 2360 Carter Road Dubuque, Iowa 52001.

Joseph B. Rottinghaus was born March 20, 1936, in Dougherty, Iowa, the son of Joseph and Catherine (Gudenkauf) Rottinghaus.  Joe attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School.  He served in the United States Army.  He was honorably discharged in 1957.  Joseph was united in marriage to Delores Mudderman on Dec. 12, 1986.

Joe worked as a fireman for the Charles City Fire Department.  He later opened Home Electronics Charles City, eventually expanding to a second location in Mason City.  Joe worked most of his time in management in the restaurant industry including the 1912 House, The Runway and Perkins, to name a few.  In 1999, Joe and Dee opened Daylight Donuts in Clear Lake.  Joe retired from The Clear Lake School System after 20 years as a bus driver.  He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake.  Work was Joe’s hobby he was a jack of all trades!  

His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his children and grandchildren attending their activities.

Joe is survived by his wife, Dee Rottinghaus; children, Ann (John Mayer) Rottinghaus, Tom Rottinghaus, Joe M. (Shari) Rottinghaus, Chuck (Kirsten Voss) Rottinghaus; grandchildren, Andrew, Alex, J.T., Ashley, Sydney, Carmen and Erik; nieces, Donna Armstrong and Pam Hinrichs; sisters-in-law, Teresa Rottinghaus, Dixie Rottinghaus and Verna Mudderman; along with many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Mary Catherine Clark, Anthony “Bud” Rottinghaus, Winifred Merfeld, Raphel Rottinghaus, Raymond Rottinghaus, Sr., Michael Rottinghaus, Sr., Anthony Rottinghaus, Sr., Rosanne Rottinghaus and Jim Rottinghaus.

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.