Emmett Vernon Roetman

Emmett Vernon Roetman, 87, died Aug. 28 in his bed at home in Wasilla due to natural causes.

Emmett was born on Oct. 20, 1921 in Badger, Minn. He attended high school for one year and then went on to attend a community college with degrees in business management and drafting. He was in the Navy and traveled to many countries. In 1947 he was honorably discharged.

In 1946, Emmett moved to Alaska, living in Anchorage until 1972 when he moved to Wasilla, where he spent the rest of his life.

Emmett originally founded Automatic Welding and Supply, Anchorage Tank and Welding, and then Roetman Enterprises. He retired from Automatic Welding and Supply in 1981.

He was involved in 4-H and was awarded with numerous awards from Masonic, Scottish Rite and many other service organizations.

His hobbies included horses, raising beef cattle, farm equipment and tinkering with anything broken. You could always find him operating the “burger booth” at the state fairgrounds for the Shriners.

Emmett was an amazing, independent man who encouraged the best in everyone he met. His early farm life and years as a young mechanic with his father at their garage in Minnesota set the tone for the rest of his life. He enlisted In the Navy at age 17 and traveled to many ports. He was a mechanic/machinist and taught others to maintain ship engines. Emmett was involved in many construction projects in Alaska from 1946 to 1957, when he began his own businesses, further supporting development of such as the pipeline in the 1970s. He had a great love for horses and farming and contributed greatly to 4-H and other animal and farm endeavors in the Valley. All who knew him will miss him forever.

He is survived by his adopted son, Gilbert Roetman of Anchorage; adopted daughter, Shellie Walther of Wasilla; biological daughter, Kristin Vernola (David) of Wasilla; biological son, Russell Roetman (RoseMarie) of Valdez; brothers, Orvil Roetman (Arlis) of Wisconsin and Fritz Roetman (Rachael) of Washington; sisters, Mae Ramert (Cheo) of Washington; LaVon Staveland-Ells of Washington; eight grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews of Alaska and Washington; many friends in every state; and a special friend Carrie Sheffield.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Olava; brothers, Bud and Dale and wife of 51 years Gwen.

There will be a memorial service on Sept. 9 at 2 p.m., at the American Legion in Wasilla off the Parks Highway.

Memorial donations can be mailed to the Portland Shriners Hospital, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239-3009.