Meet Rose of Good Shepherd
The first few years of Rose’s life were far from normal. She was placed in the St. Cloud Orphan Home when she was three. Rose had no siblings, so it was nice for her to be placed in a home with four boys, Leonard, Bill, Melvin & Victor. They were best buds. She grew up on a farm where her foster father, Pete, found plenty of jobs to keep her busy. When Rose was 14, she went to live with Pete’s family friends. She worked in their home doing odd jobs including taking care of their grandmother for room and board. She became very good friends with the son, Dave. They kept in contact for quite a while after she left. Her school years were spent at Avon Public School and Cathedral High School. Rose mentioned that she had two very good friends in school, Hilda and Gracie, of whom she has many memories.
Rose intended on becoming a Nurse’s Assistant but those plans changed. She worked at Anoka State Hospital during World War II. Later she worked at the VA Hospital in the canteen for fifteen years. She remembers an incident when a patient watched her cook his burger to make sure she didn’t squeeze all of the juice out of it.
Rose’s husband, Sy, was in the Army, stationed in Germany, during World War II. After the war, he was employed at Franklin Manufacturing. In 1941, she met Sy at a party and after three months they were married. They were together for 35 years and then divorced. Together they had 12 children, eight girls and four boys and all of their names start with B. Rose says she has many grandchildren and great grandchildren of all ages and all sizes.
Minnesota isn’t the only place Rose and her family lived. They lived in California for 15 years where she worked in many cities as a Nurse’s Assistant. She also traveled to Mexico by car while she lived there. Her most memorable vacation, however, was her trip to Isreal, Egypt, Greece and all the islands between Isreal and Greece. It was her cheapest trip but the best!
Rose had a group of friends who came together in a strange way. She had noticed a dog tied up out outside and would pet it any time she was outside. One day the dog came scratching at her back door. When she opened the door, the dog ran toward his own home wanting her to follow. When she got inside the house she found the dog’s owner, Ross, seizing on the floor. She knew what to do to help him through the seizure. As time went by, Ross asked that if he bought groceries would she cook meals. She did and they would eat together almost every day along with two other friends. It was very nice.
Rose has lived at Good Shepherd for 21 years and enjoyed the company of her kitty for 17 of those years. She spends her free time reading “Love Inspired” books. Rose doesn’t care to cook now but enjoys when others cook for her. A few of her favorite songs are Blue Moon, Bohemian Polka and Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain. When asked what she likes best about living at Good Shepherd, Rose says, “I like being near the church and the nursing home. I like to visit my friends. Our bible study is very nice and we have a good Pastor.”

We are proud Rose calls Good Shepherd home.