Rev. James Frederick Rockhoff

November 07, 1930 - March 10, 2010

Rev. James Frederick Rockhoff, 79, of Fond du Lac, died on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at St. Agnes Hospital. He was born November 7, 1930 in Two Rivers, WI, the son of Harold C. and Pauline (Mahlock) Rockhoff. He attended St. John's Lutheran School in Two Rivers and First German School in Manitowoc, WI. After confirmation, he attended high school at Northwestern Prep School in Watertown, WI, graduating in 1948, and then attended college at Northwestern College, also in Watertown, WI, graduating in 1952. In the fall of 1952 he entered the seminary in Thiensville, WI. He graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary on June 6, 1956. Upon graduation, he spent three years serving as a tutor at Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, MI. He began his public ministry on July 19, 1959 by serving as the pastor of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Geneva, NE. He married Elda May Tietz on June 21, 1960 in New Prague, MN. She preceded him in death on December 21, 2008.
In 1964, he moved his family to Tawas City, MI and served 31 years as pastor of Emanuel Lutheran Church. He also enjoyed being in charge of the city's Fourth of July fireworks for many years. Pastor Rockhoff and his wife retired to Fond du Lac, WI, in 1995. For much of their life, they worked side-by-side serving others and volunteering for the Red Cross and other organizations. For by grace James was saved through faith in Christ Jesus, and that not of himself, it is the gift of God.
James is survived by his four sons, Rev. Jonathan J. Rockhoff (Deborah) of Wichita, KS, Rev. Roger W. Rockhoff (Cindy) of Gainesville, FL, Rev. David A. Rockhoff (Janice) of Kenosha, WI and Timothy P. Rockhoff of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Andrew, Thomas, Stephanie, Christopher, Alex, Jennifer, Emily and Carrie; one step-sister, Marianne (Gene) Kanitz of Watertown, SD; a sister-in-law, Vila Rockhoff of Oshkosh, WI; and many extended family members, longtime friends and colleagues. James was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elda, and his brother Karl.

Funeral Information

Funeral services will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1010 Adams Avenue in North Fond du Lac, WI on Monday, March 15, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the services on Monday. The Revs. Thomas Behnke and Michael Kampman will officiate, with burial to follow in Ledgeview Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials have been established with Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) or Michigan Lutheran Seminary. Please consider these in lieu of flowers. Uecker-Witt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com