Roselyn “Rosie” Engel, a longtime Stewartville, MN resident, who lived a rich life surrounded by the family and friends she loved, died peacefully of natural causes on May 15, 2020 at the House of the Dove Hospice in Marshfield WI, 2 months shy of her 90th birthday.
Roselyn Kathleen Schwinefus was born on July 26, 1930 in Decorah IA to Louis and Rose (Imholte) Schwinefus. She grew up on the family farm with her siblings - Kenneth, Donald, Robert, Richard, and Shirley, moving with her family as a young girl to Spring Valley MN. Rosie attended a country school where she proudly skipped second grade to join her sister Shirley’s class, eventually graduating together from Spring Valley H.S. in 1948. She attended dental hygiene training and worked for Dr. Morse’s Dentistry practice in Spring Valley. Rosie was married on June 24, 1950 to Donald Rollie. Following their marriage, they made their home in Spring Valley where they welcomed sons Kevin, Kent and Craig. Donald tragically passed away in a vehicle accident in 1959. A strong and determined single mother, with both grit and grace, Rosie raised 3 young boys in difficult times. On November 19, 1960, Rosie married Raymond Engel and welcomed three more children, Lisa, Jeff and Wendy. They made their home in Stewartville where Raymond worked construction while Rosie worked harder, raising six children! In 2006 they retired to live on Lake Arbutus in Neillsville, WI.
Rosie was a kind-hearted and thoughtful woman, wife, mother, and grandmother and will be missed dearly. Her hands were rarely still, she enjoyed computer solitaire, gardening, canning, cards, Bingo, and became an expert at knitting, embroidery, and crocheting; leaving a legacy of many afghan blankets for all to use and cherish. She enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins and the Vikings until moving to Wisconsin when she started following the Packers, which as you can imagine, caused a minor stir in the family. She enjoyed being on the lake and watching all the wildlife, especially the rabbits, eagles, loons, and wood ducks. More than that, she loved fishing and watching Ray’s youthful excitement when he caught fish for dinner. She was motherly to the very end, patting down her husband’s wild misplaced hair, while smiling affectionately at him.
The family is thankful to the staff at the House of the Dove, and most grateful for the advice and guidance provided by cousin - Amy Myhrvold and Chris Gray of Griffin-Gray Funeral Home.
Rosie is survived by her husband of 60 years, Raymond; three sons and two daughters - Kevin (Donna) Rollie of Elgin, MN; Craig Rollie of Williams, AZ; Lisa Engel of Shoreview, MN; Jeff (Pam) Engel of Carbonado, WA, and Wendy (Mike) Bessingpas of Chatfield MN and daughter – in – law – Kitti Rollie of Tuscon,AZ; 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, 1 sister and 4 brothers, and on April 25, 2020 by her son Kent Rollie of Tucson AZ (of COVID-19).
Due to public health concerns, no service or visitation will be held at this time. Rosie will be laid to rest at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston at a date to be determined. The Engel family asks that no flowers be sent. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Rosie are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.
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