Michael C Rothenbuehler

Michael Calvin Rothenbuehler, 75, passed unexpectedly from a cardiac event on August 17, 2023.

Visitation for Michael will take place Tuesday, August 22, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Minnehaha Funeral Home of Garretson, SD.

A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at the United Church of Garretson in Garretson, SD with Pastor Julie Gregg officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Summit Hill Cemetery, rural Garretson.

Mike was born on April 24, 1948, to June (Martens) and Calvin Rothenbuehler of Sioux Falls, SD. He was part of the first graduating class from Lincoln High School in 1966 and joined the U.S. Navy in 1967 where he spent time stationed in Hawaii and Iceland.

Mike married Jane Westegaard on July 27, 1968, and together they had two children, Eric and Jamie. On September 5, 1986, he married the love of his life Dorothy Twite. They lived in numerous places during his career with the Veterans Administration. Mike was very passionate about his 50-year-long career working with Veterans. This included county, state, and federal levels and even continued into his retirement years.

Mike has always been surrounded by music, knowing how to play a variety of instruments. He was a self-taught guitar player and vocalist, which led to him being part of many bands and a two-time inductee to the South Dakota Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame. Along with his musical abilities, he was a very talented artist, storyteller, and mentor – spreading his talents to his children and grandchildren.

Mike came from a very large extended family, being close to many distant cousins. Mike's two favorite times of the year were the 4th of July family reunion and the Father’s Day Camping trip, where he was able to spend time with all of his family, both extended and immediate. He spent his time with many great friends on the golf course, watching the Vikings lose, and countless hours camping with family, even though it was often raining.

Mike is survived by his wife, Dorothy; son Eric (Jen) Rothenbuehler and their sons Micah and Ryker; daughter Jamie (Tim) Palmer and their daughters Dr. Mykayla (Jake) Vollmer and Morgan (Clay Wittmeier) Palmer; brother Tom (Connie) Rothenbuehler; sister Kim (Mike) Knopf; sister-in-law Sharon (Jason) Jans; brother-in-law David (Belinda) Twite and many other relatives and friends.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Cal and June; mother-in-law Delores Twite; brother-in-law Merle Twite; and other dear family and friends.