Dennis Lee Roth

Dennis Lee Roth September 1st, 1947 - March 8th, 2024 Dennis Lee Roth passed away peacefully with his wife Meta by his side on Friday, March 8th, 2024, after a long, courageous battle with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

Dennis was born September 1st, 1947 to Theodore (Ted) and Lois Waters in American Falls, ID. Theodore and Lois raised Dennis as a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. His faith in the Lord was instilled at an early age by his grandfather who was a Lutheran Minister.

Dennis attended school in American Falls and graduated from A.F.H.S in 1965. He had a passion for music and excelled in Pep-Band and Choir, performing in school plays, concerts, and rallies. He also played basketball and wrestled in High School.

Dennis loved playing the bass guitar and formed a band with some of his close friends called The Avengers. He grew up directly across from the High School, and most days he and his bandmates could be found practicing in his garage with the door wide open for everyone to hear. Friends, neighbors, and classmates often stopped by to sit on his parent's lawn and listen while Dennis and his friends practiced and performed.

After High School, Dennis attended Idaho State University briefly before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1966. After completing boot camp in Louisiana, Dennis was stationed in Germany for two years. It was during his deployment to Germany that he met his future wife, Meta Goetz. They had three marriage ceremonies, first by a Justice of the Peace on April 26th, 1968 in Germany and again the following day in a church ceremony on April 27th. Their final ceremony occurred at St. John’s Lutheran Church on May 18th, 1968, after returning to American Falls.

Dennis and Meta often joked that it took three different ceremonies for Meta to make sure Dennis was the right guy. After Dennis and Meta returned to American Falls he would often state lovingly that he returned from deployment and brought home a permanent souvenir. Their love for each other was evident in the home and life they built together, and the children they would later raise.

Dennis and Meta began their journey together in Pleasant Valley where Dennis helped his Father, Ted, farm the land his family had homesteaded in the early 1900s. Farming became a labor of love that was the livelihood for Dennis and Meta’s growing family.

Dennis was never afraid to learn new things; he obtained his Pilot's License, became a certified Open Water S.C.U.B.A Diver, attended the Annapolis Sailing School, and volunteered in the United States Coast Guard. However proud Dennis was of these achievements, his greatest accomplishments were his children–Tania, Nicole, and Derrick.

Dennis was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in July of 2006, a diagnosis that would forever change his and his family’s life. With strength, love, and dedication, Meta selflessly cared for Dennis at the home they lovingly and tirelessly built together. They shared a love and commitment that was an inspiration to their children and many others. Dennis continued to farm their land alongside his father, Ted, and son, Derrick, for as long as he could.

When Dennis was healthy, he enjoyed reading, sailing, riding his motorcycle, snowmobiling, skiing, and traveling. His favorite moments were those spent with his five grandchildren and great-grandson. Known to his grandkids as either Papa Den or Chief, he enjoyed laughing and sharing his time and many interests with them.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife Meta Roth, children Tania (Kevin) Phillips, Nicole (Daren) Fehringer, Derrick (Karen Bauer) Roth, brother Alan Roth, grandchildren Skylar, Jayden, and Madalynn Phillips, Mikah Fehringer, and great-grandson Aiden Bissette.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore John Roth and Lois Waters, stepmother Jessie Roth, his brother Sidney Lynn Roth, and grandson, Collin John Fehringer.  A special, heartfelt thank you to Sage and Sabrina of Enhabit Home Health and Hospice for their assistance with Dennis’ care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the National M.S. Society to help further our understanding of this disease and the search for a cure.