Dean L. Rothers

Dean was born on November 20, 1931 on a farm outside of Havensville, KS, to Philip and Ferne Rothers. He was the eldest of 5 children. Their farm had no electricity or running water, and had a small house and a big barn. They planted corn using horses to pull the plow, raised chickens, milked cows, tended a huge vegetable garden, and always found time for a game of baseball or horseshoes at the end of the day. He attended Coal Creek Elementary school (a one-room school house across the street) then Havensville High School. His graduating class in 1950 had 11 students.

He worked for the Railroad until he enlisted in the US Navy, where he served honorably 1952-1956. He spent 3 years aboard the USS Pine Island, a seaplane tender, then he was stationed at Whidbey Island, WA. Using the GI Bill, he graduated from Kansas Technology Institute in 1960. He took a job with Sperry Unisys, and was relocated to Pueblo, CO to install and maintain "new computing equipment" that would process the payroll for the Colorado Fuel & Iron Works (CF&I).

On his first day of work, he met Betty Ann Youhouse, a payroll clerk, and they were married at St. Therese Catholic Church in Pueblo, CO on November 4, 1961. Dean would work in the Computer Industry for 30+ years.

Dean and Betty moved to Denver, CO in 1962. In 1963, they built a new home in Lakewood, CO. They had four children; David, Diane, Duane and Darin. The next years were busy with Boy Scout activities and baseball games. Dean coached Duane's little-league team for many years, then he became an Umpire for several more years. He served as Scoutmaster for Troop 446. All three of their sons became Eagle Scouts. All four of their children graduated from college.

While Dean was married in the Catholic Church, and raised all of his children in the Catholic faith, he had never been baptized. However, he made sure that his family went to Mass every week, regardless of how much snow there was to shovel so they could get out of the driveway. In 1982, Dean joined the RCIA program (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) at Notre Dame Catholic Church and was baptized at Easter Vigil in 1983. Mr. Robert Alcorn was his sponsor.
Dean's favorite past-times included baseball, fishing, gardening, and long walks with the dog. In later years, there was always a jigsaw puzzle in process somewhere in the house.

Dean began suffering from the effects of dementia in the late 1990's, and was cared for by his loving wife for many years. After his son David died in 2007 and his wife died in 2008, he was cared for by his daughter. In 2011, Dean was moved into a Memory Care facility for his safety. Throughout his illness, he persevered with strength and dignity. He always had a smile on his face, and would often kiss ladies on their hands when he greeted them.

Dean was preceded in death by his brother Darrell, brother-in-law Charles and sister-in-law Joyce. He is survived by his children Diane, Duane, Darin (Karen); grandson Konrad, brothers Cecil (Kathryn) and Kenneth, and sister Karen Ann.

Rosary - Sunday, April 3, 4:00pm viewing, followed by Rosary at 5:30pm.
Newcomer Funeral Home
East Metro Chapel
190 N. Potomac St.
Aurora, CO 80011
(720) 857-0700

Funeral Mass - Monday, April 4, 10:00am (9:00am viewing)
Queen of Peace Catholic Church
13120 E Kentucky Ave
Aurora, CO 80012
303-364-1056

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Boy Scouts of America, at https://aplacetogive.scouting.org/

Dean will be buried at the RoseLawn Cemetery in Pueblo, CO, next to his wife Betty and son David.