Rhonda Boettcher Memorial Service

A recording of Rhonda Boettcher's Memorial Service can be viewed  HERE  

Memorial services for RHONDA KAY BOETTCHER, 76, will be held 10am November 11, 2024, at the First Lutheran Church 803 3rd Ave Longmont, Colorado 80501 with a reception following the service. A livestream will be available at firstluth.org. Memorial donations may be given in memory of Rhonda to First Lutheran Church P.O. Box 327 Longmont, Colorado 80502. Colyer Funeral Home in Torrington, Wyoming assisted the family with the cremation arrangements.

Rhonda Kay (Rossler) Boettcher went home to her eternal Lord and Savior peacefully on October 19, 2024, and cremation has taken place. Rhonda was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on September 24, 1948, to Frank W. Rossler and Mabel IVL (Kraft) Rossler. She grew up on the family farm east of Menomonie and took part in taking care of the dairy cows, beef cattle, chickens, hogs, sheep and Belgian horses. She drove tractors, trucks and horses farming the fields of grain, hay and corn.

Music was an important part of the Rossler family. Singing in church choirs and playing instruments was encouraged. Rhonda sang in church choirs from the age of 3 at Our Savior’s Lutheran, Menomonie, Wisconsin. At age 8 she started piano lessons and at age 9 organ lessons. She was church organist at New Hope Lutheran Church, Downsville, Wisconsin at age 12 and became their choir director at age 14. She also directed the choir at Little Elk Creek Lutheran Church, Menomonie, Wisconsin at that time.

At Menomonie High School Rhonda played saxophone and participated in band and choir. She also was an accompanist for many vocal groups and instrumentalists.

Rhonda was involved in Cedarlings 4-H Club and participated in the State 4-H Band her junior year of high school. Her senior year she was chosen State 4-H Accompanist and led music at State 4-H Club Week in Madison, Wisconsin and on the fall tour with the State 4-H Choir. She also did this her freshman year of college.

Rhonda played the Mabel Tainter Memorial organ in Menomonie for various events Rhonda played her saxophone in the Ludington Guard Band during her high school and college years.

In 1964 Rhonda was involved in the Milwaukee Circus Parade sponsored by Schlitz Brewing Company. This was a family affair, as her father drove a 6-horse hitch in the parade, her mother drove a single cart, and her brother rode as an out-rider for the hitches. Rhonda first played an unifon on top of one of the wagons in the parade. She also played the large America steam calliope in concerts on the lakeside grounds. Through this she was chosen to represent Schlitz Brewing Company and the Circus World Museum playing the steam calliope in the Cotton Bowl Parade, Dallas, Texas.

Rhonda attended Luther College, Decorah, Iowa 1966-1970 receiving BA degrees in Music, Education, and Psychology. In 1992, she received her master's degree from Colorado State University in Adult Education.

Rhonda met her husband David Micheal Boettcher on tour with the State 4-H Band and Chorus in October 1964. They were married December 20, 1970, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Menomonie, Wisconsin. To this union was given the blessing of their son, Aaron Joshua Boettcher, January 18, 1978.

Rhonda taught Vocal Music and Social Studies at Mead Elementary, Mead Junior (Middle) School, Northeast (Heritage) Junior High, and Sunset Middle School. After 33 years of teaching in the St. Vrain Valley School District she retired and moved from Longmont, Colorado to Torrington, Wyoming.

Music and education were important to Rhonda whether she was teaching public school or at First Lutheran Church, Longmont Colorado. At First Lutheran she taught confirmation, led Vacation Bible School, served on the church council and directed youth choirs and the Chancel Choir for many years.

Rhonda was a life member of the Colorado Education Association, National Education Association, 50+ year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and served as Weld County Election Judge for many years.

Rhonda is survived by her husband, David, of Torrington, Wyoming and her son, Aaron Joshua Boettcher, of Longmont, Colorado. Her brother Clifford G. Rossler, his wife Lou Ann and their children, Leslie and Matthew Rossler. Rhonda’s parents, Frank and Mabel Rossler and infant sister Ann Marie preceded her in death.