Robert Rose

Robert "Bob" Dunphy Rose son of Charles and Ruth (Dunphy) Rose was born on January 7, 1923 in Little Falls, MN. While growing up, Bob lived in Swanville, International Falls, St. Paul and Thief River Falls. He graduated from Thief River Falls High School in 1941. On September 9, 1942, Bob enlisted in the United States Army, where he served in WWII with the 84th Infantry Division as a medic. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Medic Badge. He received an honorable discharge on December 30, 1945. On September 2, 1946, he was united in marriage to Joan Lawshe at her home in St. Paul. The couple was blessed with five children. Bob continued his education in the Pharmacy program at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, graduating in May, 1948. Following his graduation, he was employed by Countryman Drug in Fergus Falls. In 1951, he moved his family to Raymond, MN, where he owned and operated Bob's Rexall Drug. He sold the business in 1958 and the family moved to Morris, where Bob then managed the Morris Boston Rexall Drug Store. Bob also worked at the Stevens County Memorial Hospital as a pharmacist and for ten years served as hospital administrator. Joan died on January 16, 1980. On June 12, 1982, Bob was united in marriage to Marian Haack Bjorkland in Little Falls. The couple made their home in Morris. Marian died on October 1, 2002. Bob continued to live in Morris until the time of his death.



Bob was a member of Federated Church in Morris. He was very active with the American Red Cross. Bob served as president for the Morris Senior Citizen Center. He was a member of the Morris American Legion, V.F.W. and AmVets. He enjoyed Photography, WWII history, dog sledding, gardening, traveling and visiting.



Bob died on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at the Courage Cottage in Morris due to complications from a fall at his home in July. He lived to reach the age of 84 years.



He is survived by three sons: Chuck (Pam) Rose of Brandon, Rich (Pat) Rose of Cambridge and Steve (Deb) Rose of Prior Lake; one daughter: Sue (Dr. Ralph) Gerbig of Dawson; daughter-in-law: Colene Rose of Duluth; two step-sons: John (Barb) Pierre of Escondido, CA and Ed (Bonnie) Pierre of Sevierville, TN; one stepdaughter: Dr. Karen (Greg) Gosen of Albert Lea; ten grandchildren: Hilary (Jeff) Bilbrey, Reid (Brynn) Rose, Ben Gerbig, Alex (AnaLisa) Gerbig, Kelly Gerbig, Michael (Annie) Rose, Mariah Rose, Ryan Rose, Topher Rose and Kelby Rose; three great-grandchildren: Breck, Jake and Faith Bilbrey; five step-grandchildren: Nick Gosen, David Pierre, Cheri Pierre, Danny (Ronda) Pierre and Lisa (Dan) Hegland; four step-great-grandchildren: Keanna Pierre, Seth Pierre, Austin Hegland and Anna Hegland. Bob was preceded in death by his wives: Joan and Marian; one son: Robert A. Rose; one granddaughter: Erin Patricia Rose; his parents and one brother: William Rose.



Honorary pallbearers for the service will be Bob's grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. Cheryl Rempel will serve as organist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of arrangements.