Leroy Rochholz

LeRoy was born August 29, l930, in Guthrie County, Iowa, the son of Roy E. Rochholz and Bessie Fisher Rochholz. Bessie passed away when LeRoy was 10 months old. At this time his grandmother, Daisy Rochholz, helped with the family. He always said he was lucky to have had his older sister Norene, whom in many ways was like a mother and best friend to him.


He died January 27, 2012, at 2:39 p.m. in Glenview, IL. LeRoy had broken a leg several months prior to his death, and had surgery for bleeding ulcers. He then suffered a massive heart attack while still recovering.

LeRoy was baptized and confirmed in the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Adair in l953. He attended rural school and graduated from the Adair High School in 1948. He was always a good speller and won many a spelling bee. Upon graduation he worked for C. B. Parrott Produce where he ran an egg route. He later managed the Chambers Produce in Casey, Iowa, was a bus driver and mechanic for the Adair School. He also worked for Parrott Oil and Harkins Gas and Oil Station. LeRoy also had been a past President and EMT in the Adair Fire Department while living in Adair. He was a proud member of the Iowa Firefighters Association and the Moose International Fraternity for the rest of his life.


In 1986, he moved to Murrieta, CA where he repaired and operated heavy equipment. LeRoy's early retirement years includes many friends in California while continuing to work part-time as a master of drywall and site watchman. His home in the heat of California was enjoyable due to his ingenious engineering of eucalyptus trees and misting recycled water.
In l953, he was united in marriage to Marjorie Sachau, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Adair. To this union were born two sons, Mark L. and Scott E. This marriage ended in divorce in l970. He also was married to Odella Parrott, which ended in divorce after thirteen years.


In August, 2003, he left CA to make his home with his son, Mark Rochholz and his wife, Denise Powers, in Golf, IL; during which he spent many summers with his son Scott Rochholz and wife, Leslie, in Dexter, IA. He particularly loved to drive Scott's golf cart. LeRoy cherished being close to his sons.

After multiple strokes, he entered a care facility in Illinois close to his son Mark and wife Denise. He had many friends, both residents and staff. With a sharp memory, LeRoy participated in all the activities. He was known to excel at any game that involved winning prizes and he enjoyed and participated in almost all of the various worship services.

Mark held a surprise birthday for LeRoy's last birthday with most of the grandchildren present. He attended his grandson Aaron's wedding. It was very special to him to see so much of his family.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, Roy E. and Bessie Rochholz; step-mother, Florence Arnburg Rochholz; his sister, Norene Love; brother-in-law, James Love; and his daughter-in-law, Leslie Rochholz; his step siblings, Wayne Arnburg, Waunita Flint and Wynona Arnburg.


Survivors include sons, Mark and wife, Denise Powers of Golf, IL and Scott Rochholz of Dexter, IA; his grandchildren, Trever R. Jayne, Adel, IA., Tara Hansen and husband, Shane Hansen, Hickman, NE., Mary Whitehorn, Pillager, MN, Alex Rochholz, DeSoto, IA, Aaron Rochholz and wife Stacey of Palatine, IL and Julia Rochholz of Chicago, IL; great-grandchildren Brooke, Nathan, Skyler and Liam Jayne and Payton and Cecelia Hansen; and other relatives and friends.

Graveside services will be held Friday, February 3, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Dalmanutha Cemetery, north of Casey, Iowa.

Hockenberry Family Care in Adair, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements