Jonathan Burt Roth

Jonathan Burt Roth, age 83 of South St. Paul passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on December 30th, 2025.

Jonathan was born on January 14th, 1942, in Santa Rosa, California. In 1944, the Roth family moved to Texas. From an early age, Jonathan’s life was shaped by his Christian faith and a love of music. Musically gifted and mechanically minded, he went on to study music and engineering.

After moving to Minnesota in 1998, Jonathan remained active in the church, praising the Lord with his violin. He spent nearly two decades working at Blue Cross Blue Shield before his retirement. Outside of work, Jonathan enjoyed traveling and capturing memories through photography. A loving and reliable family man, Jonathan’s greatest joy in retirement was playing the role of grandpa.

Preceded in death by parents, Thomas & Maybelle Roth; sister, JoAnn Denney; brother, Tim Roth.

Survived by loving wife of 27 years, Shirley; children, Kathleen Roth, Rebecca Roth, Ryan (Sunita) Kelsey, Sean (Dana Banitt) Kelsey, Eric Kelsey, & Heather (Curtis) Johnsen; grandchildren, Taylor, Micayla, Oliver, Waylon, & one more on the way; several great-grandchildren; brothers Tom (Linda) Roth & Steve (Caroline) Roth; also many other relatives & friends.

Visitation 4:00 – 7:00 pm Friday, January 9th at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Hts. Funeral Service 11:00 am Saturday, January 10th at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2075 70th St. E., Inver Grove Hts., with visitation 1-hour prior at church. Service will also be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/live/QkLpy3LH2Qs. Interment Emanuel Church Cemetery.