Harold Roth, age 96, of New Ulm, passed away Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes – South Chapel in New Ulm. Burial will follow in the New Ulm City Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes – South Chapel in New Ulm. Visitation will continue from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday at the South Chapel prior to service.

Harold is survived by his daughter, Jodie Roth; son, B. Alexander Roth; two grandchildren, Jaime Helgeson (fiancé, Jamie Johnson) and Christopher Weibel (spouse, Charity Weibel); seven great-grandchildren and many extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Frieda Roth; wife, Ethel Roth; daughter in infancy, Sheri Roth; and siblings, Herman Roth, Myra Gieseke, Lola Henderson, and Evelyn Gieseke.

Harold Fred Roth was born September 7, 1929 to Howard and Frieda (Huse) Roth in Nicollet County. He graduated from New Ulm High School. Harold served in the United States Army from 1951-1953 as corporal with the 7th Field Artillery Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division. After serving his country, he met Ethel Ganske at George’s Ballroom in New Ulm. On April 26, 1956, they were united in marriage at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm. The couple moved to Bakersfield, California, where Harold went to college. They returned to Minnesota, where Harold began working at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, which he did for 30 years until his retirement.

Harold and Ethel loved New Ulm and their German-Bohemian heritage. They were active in the community by working as greeters at the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce, participating in parades and local festivals in full German attire, and hosting German natives during Heritagefest. Harold was a member the American Legion Post 132. As a couple, they were members of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Harold and Ethel loved to dance and were proud to be part of the Polka Lovers of America. Above all else, Harold loved and treasured his family. His 96 years were spent as a devoted husband and father. He will be dearly missed by those who knew him.

To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the DNR (www.dnr.state.mn.us) and/or the ALS Foundation (www.als.org).

May he rest in eternal “Gemütlichkeit”.