Albert Rotman

Albert E Rotman, son of John and Dena (Otte) Rotman, was born March 24, 1916.  He was born on a farm in Lincoln Township, Smith County, that was purchased by his Great Grandfather John Renken in 1870.  When he moved to Kansas from Michigan.  The farm is still in family today, and is located two miles east and five and one quarter miles north of Downs.

He departed this life on January 5, 2015 at the age of 98.

He attended Oak Creek and graduated from Downs High School in 1933. During his graduation, the first of many dust storms covered the area.  The lights went out and they received their diplomas by flash light and other artificial lights.  It was during his High School years that he made his profession of faith and joined the Rotterdam Reformed Church of rural Cawker City, Kansas.  When it disbanded in 1946, he joined the Dispatch Christian Reformed Church, located in the area. After graduation from High School he helped his parents with their farming operations, and also worked for neighbors who needed extra help.

In 1937 he and his brother Harold started farming together.  This was interrupted in 1942 when both entered the service of their country.  Albert enlisted in the Army Air Force and served in the European Theater of operations with the 322nd Bombardment Group of the Ninth Air Force.  He was the flight engineer and Top turret gunner on a B 26 Martin Marauder Bomber.  He flew 55 missions during this time.  He was awarded the Air Medal with two Silver Oak Clusters, also the Good Conduct Medal.  He served in four theaters of operations Southern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe.

After receiving his discharge from the Air Force, he and his brother Harold started farming again.  They farmed in Osborne and Smith County Kansas.  They owned one of the first self-propelled combines in the area.

On January 29, 1948 he was united in marriage to Loyce DeNell Hayes of Portis, Kansas daughter of Dell and Nell (Atwood) Hayes at the dispatch Christian Reformed Church by Reverend Richard R DeRidder.  They made their first home on a farm in Crystal Plains Township, Smith County, Kansas. To this union one son was born, Daryl Lee Rotman on March 7, 1950.

In 1953 Albert and Harold dissolved the partnership and Albert continued to farm the land in the Crystal Plains area and Harold farmed the land in the Downs Area.  In 1958 the family moved to the place where Albert was born and changed their farm operations to more livestock and less grain. Because of conditions that effected farm operations in 1968 Albert and Loyce had a farm sale and sold all their farm equipment and moved to Cozad, Nebraska where they went to work for Monroe Auto Equipment Company to build shock absorbers.  Albert worked there for 15 years.  In 1982 Albert retired from Monroe’s as a tool and die maker.  He really enjoyed his work and the people he worked with. In 1972 Albert and Loyce became members of the Evangelical Free Church of Gothenburg, Nebraska.  He was a member at the time of his death.

He served on church boards, school boards, and Township Committee what was then known as AA. He was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign War Post number 1366 and served as the Commander.  When in Downs Kansas area he also served as American Legion Commander of Post 11 department of Kansas at present he was a member for Post #77 Cozad, Nebraska. On retirement of 1982 he took up the hobby of woodworking, and when Loyce retired they purchased a travel trailer and traveled quite extensively including a trip to Alaska. Loyce interested was genealogy, so their travels included many places to get information for her family genealogy.  These trips included Northeastern States, North Carolina, Kentucky, Michigan, Iowa and many other states.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Dena Rotman.  His wife parents Dell and Nell Hayes.  His sister Ann M. Rotman and sister Bessie K. Wichers and husband Harold. Three brothers AA (Tony) Rotman, and wife Gladys. Harold and wife Jean, and Julian and wife Dorothy and a cousin Alvin Rotman, who his parents raised and became a member of the family.  Also by his wife's brother Loyd and his wife Verian.

He is survived by his wife Loyce of 67 years.  His son Daryl Lee and wife Betty of Las Vegas, NV.  His two grand children Kristina Radell and husband Toby Logsdon of Lynnwood, Washington.  Also Ashley Paul and wife Amy Rotman of Broomfield, Colorado and two step grandchildren Troy DeVan and wife Catherine and Ashlee DeVan.  Also four great grandchildren Kaleb and Madison Logsdon and Allyson and Ava Rotman, and a step great granddaughter Claire Marie. His wife's sister Loretta and husband Dale Flynn of Lindsborg, Kansas and manly niece and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Thursday, January 8, 2015, 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm. with the family present from 4-6.

Services will be held at Evangelical Free Church, Friday, January 9, 2015 at 10:00 am with Pastor Nathaniel Gustafson officiating.

Interment will follow in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the Cozad Fire Department or Evangelical Free Church, 1721 Lake Avenue, Gothenburg, NE 69138.