Ole ROTHEL

Ole was predeceased by his parents, Bertha and Robert Rothel and his wife of 34 years, Geraldine. Ole is survived by his two daughters, Holly (Blair) Peebles and Niki (John) Shewfelt; grandchildren Blake (Karlie), Emily, Dawson, Alison (Danny), Miranda (Branden), Savannah and Ivy; great grandchildren Arya and Josias; and sisters Roberta Hutchinson and Karen Cook. He will be fondly remembered by many other relatives and friends.

Ole and Geri married in 1969 in Natal. Ole built their home with a view of Hornaday and Sheep mountains, a place where he always resided. This rural lifestyle allowed him to have horses that he loved and to wear the western gear that he was known for including his cowboy boots, his Stetsons and his Wrangler jeans. Ole was a devoted family man. He always made himself available to family and friends. He passed his love of the outdoors onto his family. He had a passion for hunting, and he tremendously enjoyed his days Guiding with Bob Fontana in the upper Elk.

Ole left school after Grade 9 and spent his entire work life in the Elk Valley coal mines, retiring as an Assistant Supervisor at the Elkview mine in 2005. He was known to have a strong work ethic and he also had the same expectation of others. He was innately capable and could build or fix anything.

Ole was known for his kindness, and he held the respect of his peers, and the love of his family and friends. He was truly an old school gentlemen cowboy who was completely family centered.