Francis (Jim) Roraff

Francis “Jim” Roraff, 92, of La Crosse died Sunday, July 28, 2013, at Mayo Health System, La Crosse.He was born in La Crosse on July 18, 1921, to Joseph J. and Lena (Hensken) Roraff. He married Lillian Albel in Sept., 1947, in St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, La Crosse. Francis graduated from Aquinas High School, Class of 1939. He served our country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He then worked as a draftsman for the Autolite, and Trane Co. until his retirement. Jim was an artist of oil paintings and drawings.He is survived by two daughters, Fran (Douglass) Taulelle, of Champlin, Minn. and Mary Roraff of Owatonna, Minn.; one son, Dan (Janet) Roraff of Owatonna; and one grandson, Reed Roraff. He is further survived by one sister, Helen Reardon of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.He was preceded in death by wife, Lillian on June 6, 2008; one daughter, Joni; his parents; one sister, Margaret Schrader; and two brothers, Edwin and Robert Roraff.A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Mary, Mother of the Church at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 2006 Weston St., La Crosse. The Rev. Douglas Robertson will officiate with Entombment to be held in the St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum, in the Catholic Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass on Wednesday at the church.