Donald Andrew Rotert passed away at his home in rural Montrose, Missouri on February 8, 2026, one day before his eighty-third birthday.
Born in Germantown on February 9, 1943, to Frank and Evelyn Bergschneider Rotert, he was the seventh of ten children and one sister lost at birth.
Donald always had a smile ready with a twinkle in his eye. He told many stories about playing baseball in his heyday -- especially the time he received a letter from a scout with the Kansas City A's -- and recalled those memories often. He loved being at the Rotert family century farm and passed time there helping his brother's family after retiring. He was a long-time member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Clinton and frequently attended Immaculate Conception in Montrose. Those who knew him, knew the importance of his quiet steadfast faith.
Donald graduated from Montrose High School in 1961. As a young man, Donald was hired on at Peabody Coal Company where he trained as a welder. He was exceptionally skilled and used that training throughout his working life. He also served in the US Army National Guard.
Donald married Jeanette Weimer, the love of his life, on July 19, 1969, and they first lived in a small house on the east edge of Clinton. Proudly, he painted and furnished the entire house for her before they moved in. In 1977, they moved with their two young sons, Steve and Greg, to a small acreage outside Montrose where he worked hard to build his farm. He managed cattle, hogs and hay ground, while always keeping full-time work off the farm. For many years, Don commuted to Kansas City for work at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant and Wire Rope Corporation of America. He retired from Lake City in 2010. Jeanette would see him off with several prepared meals lovingly packed for his days in the city. On his way, he would always stop and see their neighbors and close friends, DeWayne and Mildred Arthur.
Donald rests in peace beside his loving wife of 54 years, Jeanette, and his first-born son, Steven Joseph. He was preceded in death also by his parents; four brothers: Charles Rotert, Cletus Rotert, Kenneth Rotert and Vernon Rotert; sisters-in-law: Eunice Rotert, Delores Rotert, Glenda K. Weimer, Glenda A. Weimer and Wilma Weimer; and brothers-in-law: Thomas Kubajak, Alvin Jurgensmeyer, Leroy Weimer, Marion Weimer and Wesley Weimer. He is survived by his son, Gregory, and daughter-in-law, Mary Ann, of Columbia; his siblings: Mary Kubajak, Ellen Jurgensmeyer, Eugene Rotert and his wife Roxy, Elmer Rotert and his wife Charlotte, and Dorothy Mead and her husband Bob; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews with whom he loved spending time.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held February 13, 2026 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Clinton with Father James Taranto officiating. The pallbearers were Bailey Carter, Levi Clark, Jimmie Schmedding, Wes Carter, Chris Rotert and Sam Sexauer. David Clark, Larry Clark, Matt Clark, Ludger Goth, Ellen Jurgensmeer, Mary Kubajak, Dorothy Mead, Elmer Rotert, Eugene Rotert and Robbie Rotert were honorary pallbearers. Interment followed in St. Ludger's Cemetery, Germantown, MO.
Services were under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, MO.
