Delores Mardell (Schroeder) Rosenau, age 95, passed away peacefully at the New Richland Care Center on Saturday, September 4, 2021. A Funeral service will be held Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 11:00 AM at First Lutheran Church in Waldorf, MN with Pastor Michael Matthews officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM- 11:00 AM September 11, 2021 prior to the Funeral. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home of Wells is assisting the family. Please leave online condolences at www.brussheitner.com.
Delores was born on June 8, 1926, the second of three children to Arnold and Ruth (Bartelt) Schroeder of Waldorf, MN. Delores grew up on the family farm south of Waldorf. She graduated valedictorian from Waldorf High School in June, 1944. Delores continued on with her studies to become a school teacher and taught at a one room, rural school near Wells, Mn. until married with children. She commented that there was a child in all 8 grade levels to teach, making for lots of lesson preparations!
Delores married the love of her life Russeel E. Rosenau on June 9, 1945 in a most unusual double wedding ceremony along with her sister Jane who married Victor Kluender.
Delores and Russel purchased a farm south of Waldorf where together they raised four children and farmed until retirement. Delores was an avid gardener and loved flowers. She canned her own vegetables, fruits and meats for many years. Delores was an organized person, neat and tidy, always wanting everything to be in its place. A perfectionist for sure!
Delores worked at Birds Eye Foods in Waseca for 21 years. She always drove, giving two neighbor ladies a ride to work, as well. She proudly said, “I never had an accident in those 21 years, only one flat tire!”
Delores was a faithful member of the First Lutheran Church in Waldorf and active in the Women’s In Mission group, helping with ice cream socials, funerals, and the community turkey dinners, where she was known for her wild rice dressing. Her children will always remember the many pecan pies she took out to gatherings and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will always remember her delicious dill pickles, pea salad, Chocolate Revel Bars and Peach Crumble Pie.
Delores was an active member of the Up-N-Comin’ home extension club. She was also a member of Waldorf Senior Citizens for over 30 years and president for many of those years. Along with Russel, Delores enjoyed playing cards whenever possible with family or neighbors. Also, they both loved to dance every chance they could and danced well into their 80’s. They were keen travelers, too. In their retirement, they did many trips to Australia to visit their daughter lana, as well as tours to Europe and throughout the United States.
Delores was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, Russel, son John Rosenau, daughter-in-law Betty Rosenau, grandson Bradley Howman, her parents, her sister Jane and husband Victor Kluender, her brother Donald and wife Edna Schroeder, sister-in-law Grace and husband Orven Hansen and sister-in-law Ruth Rosenau.
She is survived by 3 children, Ramona (Sherman) Richardson of Waldorf, Arnold Rosenau of Ruskin, Florida and Lana (Jim) Howman of Balmoral, Victoria Australia; six grandchildren, Kristi Richardson (Larry Conley), Kari Richardson and Kati Hanson (Jerome Slama); Brent (Lisa) Rosenau; Andra Howman (Scott Cooknell) and Erin Howman; ten great-grandchildren, Derrik Richardson (Samantha Wilson) and Mackenzie Richardson; Cole Richardson (Mariah Olinger); Chance Dalbec, Dalton Slama and Dylan Slama; Lori Rosenau, Kaylie Price and Sean Price; and Zoe Cooknell. Also, many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorials suggested to First Lutheran Church Perpetual Care Fund, New Richland Care Center’s Activities Department or St. Croix Hospice of Minnesota.
Special thanks to all the staff at the New Richland Care center and St. Croix Hospice.