James Allen Rotert, 72, Whitewood, died Friday, November 12, 2010, at the Sturgis Regional Hospital.

Visitation will be from noon until 9:00 p.m. on Monday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 16, 2010, at the Black Hills Baptist Church in Whitewood with Pastor Richard Counts and Pastor John Tesnow officiating. Burial will follow at the Whitewood Cemetery.

James was born January 3, 1938, at Sioux City, IA, to Edward and Sylvia (Herting) Rotert. He grew up in Salem, SD, where he graduated from high school. He attended school in Minneapolis, MN, where he received his training for laboratory technician.

Jim worked as a hospital administrator in Lemmon, Hot Springs, Sturgis, Sioux Falls, Richardton, ND, Miles City, MT, and Tyler, MN.

He married Jean Waldron, at Pierre, SD, on August 6, 1976.

After he retired in 1998, they moved to Whitewood where Jim enjoyed being a grandfather, camping, and working in his church. He was active in prison ministry.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Rotert, Whitewood; sons, Richard (Velta) Grosch, Whitewood, Kenneth (Barb) Grosch, Sturgis, and Pat (Lynette) Rotert, Spearfish; daughters, Brenda (D.J.) Werlinger, Whitewood, Barb Bennett, Rockford, IL, Michelle Rotert, Rockford, IL, and Cathy (Kevin) Sylve, St. Louis, MO; one brother, Bill (Jean) Watson, Anchorage, AK; sisters, Bev (Greg) Ketterling, Leola, SD, and Barb (Dan) Kimball, Columbia, SD; 14 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren.

Jim enjoyed spending time with his family. His grandchildren always put a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. We will always miss him and love him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.

A memorial has been established to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.