Arthur "Art" J. Roth

ART ROTH, 92, of Julesburg, entered into the Lord's rest on June 26, 2023, surrounded by his family, at the Sedgwick County Hospital in Julesburg.

Arthur John Roth was born on December 24, 1930, near Petersburg, Ontario, Canada, to Matilda Swartzendruber Roth and John L. Roth. Growing up on the family farm near the village of Petersburg, he attended grade school until the eighth grade when he was needed to assist with farm work. At the age of eleven, Art recognized his need for a Savior and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior during a church revival. He was baptized in 1941 at the Steinmann Mennonite Church in Baden, Ontario, Canada.

While residing in Canada, Art worked as a grocery bagger at Loblaws Super Market in Kitchener, Ontario. He later found employment at a local sawmill and a transport company. Actively involved in his church, Art served as a Sunday School teacher, Song Leader, Janitor, and youth leader.

In the summer of 1953, Art embarked on a life-changing adventure with the Christian Laymen's Tent Evangelism team based in Orrville, Ohio. He traveled extensively across the United States, from Oregon to New York, and throughout Ontario, Canada. Art served as Assistant to the tent Manager during his time with the team.

Art's thirst for knowledge and spiritual growth led him to graduate from both the Ontario Mennonite Bible School and Institute in 1952 and 1954, respectively. He also dedicated winters to logging alongside a local logger in Petersburg.

In 1955, Art became a permanent resident of the United States. He attended Eastern Mennonite College in Harrisonburg, Virginia, for one semester before being drafted in 1956. He left college to serve as an orderly at Marymount Hospital Emergency Room in Garfield Heights, Ohio, fulfilling his obligation to the United States draft.

It was during one of the tent meetings in Kalona, Iowa, that Art met the love of his life, Marjorie. They were married on April 5, 1958, at the Sunnyside Mennonite Church in Kalona, Iowa. Shortly after their wedding, they moved to Ohio, where Art continued working in the emergency room at Marymount Hospital. Following a family tragedy, they relocated to Iowa to support Marjorie's father. Art found employment at the Ropp Feed and Produce Store.

In 1961, Art and Marjorie, along with their family, moved to Julesburg, Colorado, where he served as Pastor of the emerging Julesburg Mennonite Church. He was licensed as a Minister and was ordained to the Christian Ministry in 1962. Art faithfully served the Julesburg Mennonite Church from 1961 to 2014, dedicating over five decades to shepherding his congregation.

During his time in Julesburg, Art also served as Pastor for the Chappell, NE, Mennonite Church for a number of years until its disbandment. Additionally, he filled in as a supply Pastor at Community Presbyterian Church in Sedgwick, Colorado, for several years. Art's dedication to ministry extended beyond denominational boundaries, and he was ordained as a Minister within the Presbyterian Church, allowing him to serve as Moderator for the Church Session.

Art's commitment to providing for his family led him to work in various fields, including carpentry for Harold Ropp, Coffman Furniture, and as a janitor at the Sedgwick County Courthouse. He and his family operated a floor, wall, and window covering store and had also served a long and special role on the staff at Austin-Tennant Funeral Home for many years.

Arthur is survived by his devoted wife Marjorie, his daughters, and their spouses: Yvonne and Jeffrey Otto, Jane and Bernard Mindrup, and Sheri and Martin Swartzendruber. He was a loving grandfather to his grandsons, Jared (Meredith), Kyle, Joseph (Leah), Riley (Kelsey), and granddaughter Kaitlyn (Sean): and three Great Grandchildren, Beckett, Emerson, and Griffin. Arthur also leaves behind his brother Vern and his wife Betty Roth, and sister-in-law Grace Miller, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, John and Matilda Swartzendruber Roth, as well as his sisters, Beatrice Roth Holtz, Martha Roth Miller, and Mildred Hauder. He is also reunited with his brother Clare and several brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Memorials are suggested to the Mennonite Church Building Fund or the Sedgwick County Ambulance Fund in memory of Art. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsjulesburg.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Services will be Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 2:00 pm, at the Julesburg Christian Church, with Pastor Larry Nail officiating. Interment will be in the Hillside Cemetery at Julesburg.

Visitation will be on Friday, June 30, from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Julesburg.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Julesburg is in charge of arrangements.