Herman Rookhuizen

Herman Rookhuizen was born in Billings on August 24, 1959 to William (Bill) and Jane Rookhuizen. He was the fifth of 7 siblings (Steve, Rachel, Billy, Esther, Emma and Johnny). He grew up on Boulder Ave in Billings. He attended Boulder elementary school, Will James Middle School, and Billings West High.

He held several jobs after graduating but his true calling was found when he got on with the Billings Fire Department on 4/1/85, working his way from tailboard to engineer to Captain. He loved being with the BFD! He was diagnosed with Chrohn's Disease in the mid 90's. He was able to continue working until his health forced him to retire on 12/31/2012. After he retired, he got a nice fishing boat, and he was the fisherman extraordinaire! No walleye was safe if Herman was around! He didn't like Winter and got through it just so he could fish. As soon as "the weather broke" he was on the water.

On November 27th, 1983, he married Nancy Moore. They had two sons, Nicholas Owen and Brett Austin. Herman sure loved his boys! He taught them so much! As they grew, it became apparent, they are "chips off the old block". If something is broken but fixable, they can fix it! Herman and Nancy later divorced but remained good friends - even vacationing together in his motorhome to visit Brett on the Oregon Coast many times. He loved seeing the sights Brett was able to show him and cruising in the Jeep to the perfect spot on the beach. Nick blessed him with 3 grandchildren (Bridgette, Owen, and Myah) and he gained another (Jethro) when Nick married Naomi Mammen. Herman was able to walk Naomi down the aisle last summer when she married Nick. He loved Naomi as if she was his own daughter. If we needed to convince Herman of something, we sent Naomi to handle it! We are grateful that he was there for that special day.

The grandchildren are where Herman really shined! He loved them and shared his love of fishing with them. Bridgette wasn't very old when he began taking her to get the big ones! Often times she out fished the grown men at Cooney. Owen was beginning to get interested in fishing too. Herman had plans to take the kids camping and fishing this Summer. Over the last few years, the grandkids got involved in dirt bikes. Herman spent many hours with them out at The Billings Motorcycle Club. He was always there to cheer them on. He was very proud and pleased with his family.

He passed away on January 9 due to influenza and its complications. None of us saw this coming. We are shocked and broken hearted. He leaves behind his sons' Nick (Naomi, Bridgette, Owen, Myah and Jethro), Brett and their mother, Nancy. He also leaves his sisters Rachel (Gordon), Esther (Willie), Emma (Randy), and his faithful pup Marley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Bill, John and his wife, Jennifer and Steve and his wife Debbie.