June 30, 1936 - October 12, 2020
Duane was a dedicated servant of the Lord. He loved serving the people he touched with humility, care, and empathy.
He was born in Hays, Kansas, to Eldor and Eveline Rohmaller and baptized into the Christian faith. When Duane was four months old the family moved to Carthage, Missouri, where he enjoyed his growing years along with his younger brother Paul (predeceased in 1984 and survived by his wife Julie). He attended St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas, and Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska, where he played baseball. One of his favorite stories to tell was about his team playing Creighton University when he got a hit off future St. Louis Cardinal, Bob Gibson.
Duane’s first call was as an athletic director and teacher to Holy Cross Lutheran in Collinsville, Illinois. As a teacher he once had a class of 50 students. Coach Rohmaller was loved and respected for his years of basketball coaching. He later became administrator of the school. He spent many summers as director at Lutheran Services Volunteer (LSV) camps. Duane earned his Masters in Education from Southern Illinois University.
While at Concordia Duane met Betty, his wife of 59 years. During their years in Illinois they were blessed with a son, Mike, and a daughter, Lisa.
They have four grandchildren: Emily, Nick, Anna, and Leah, and Duane enjoyed attending activities in which they were involved. His love extended to his daughter-in-law, JJ, and son-in-law, Craig Ellwein.
In 1978 he accepted a call to Christ Lutheran Church and School. God blessed his efforts and the school grew, including several building programs and the start of a new preschool. He was a mentor to young Lutheran principals in Orange County. He served on the LCMS Board of Higher Education which established the Concordia University system. He was a finalist for the 1995 LEA principal of the year. After retiring from CLS, he was in charge of the deacon program for the Pacific Southwest District for 15 years.
He loved family times, traveling (he made it to all 50 states), cruises, spending time at the cabin in Green Valley Lake, woodworking, gardening, bowling, golfing, and watching his beloved St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels.
Well done good and faithful servant.
Rest In Peace!
Memorials may be directed to the Christ Lutheran School Student Scholarship Fund or
the Crean Lutheran High School Saints Fund.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5