- Henry Joachim Rose was born April 26, 1902 in the small town of Westermargelsdorf, on the island of Fehmarn in the Baltic Sea belonging to Germany, son of August and Margaretha (Busch) Rose. At the age of one, his parents moved more inland to the town of Danschendorf where they lived till he came to America. He was confirmed in St. Johannes Church in Petersdorf in 1917. He started his apprenticeship, to learn carpentry trade in Neujellingsdorf. During the World War, times were tough, not much to eat and he worked building factories for cabbage and beet drying. An Uncle helped Henry and his brother, Peter, come to the United States and they arrived in New York Harbor in July of 1923. After going through Ellis Island, they boarded a train for Estherville where they were met and Henry was brought to Welcome. In the winter months of 1923 and 1924, he attended country school half days in District #14, Fraser Township to learn English, the way of business, and the form of government. He stayed at the George Hartung home and did chores and whatever needed to be done for his room and board. His teacher was Miss Hanley of Welcome. His first job was working for Henry Wackwitz till 1929. He started his own business of Rose and Sons Contractor and Builder in 1930. He also worked for Equitable Life Insurance Society of the US. He met Sophia Graf at a Mission Festival and they were married on March 6, 1927 at Truman, Minnesota and later settled in Welcome. He became a citizen in April of 1928, a citizenship which he proudly honored. They had three children, Aldor, Viola and Herbert. Henry and Sophia moved to Maplewood in Fairmont in April of 1994. Sophia, his lady, as he lovingly called her, passed away on January 25, 1997, about six weeks prior to their 70th Wedding Anniversary. Aldor and Herb joined their father in his business and later, his grandson, Steven and were known as Rose Construction. In 1937, he built Trinity Lutheran Church in Welcome and in 1950, the parsonage. He served in different capacities in the church over the years. He retired in 1967 and built many Grandmother and Grandfather clocks which are all over the United States. He enjoyed playing cards with the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Henry celebrated his 100th birthday on April 27, 2002, in the church which he built with the help of the congregation with 250 friends and relatives coming from near and far to greet him on his special day. Henry became a resident of the Lutheran Retirement Home in Truman on June 17, 2003.
Henry died on Sunday morning, August 14, 2005 at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Truman, Minnesota at the age of one hundred threer years.
Those who shared in Henry's Life:
He is survived by his children, Aldor Rose and his wife, DeElda, of Fairmont, Minnesota, Viola Pierson and her husband, Leonard of Mankato, Minnesota and Herbert Rose and his wife, Jane, of Alexandria, Minnesota; twelve grandchildren; thirty-six great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; sister, Emma Thate of Fairmont, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Olga Raatz of Fairmont, Minnesota; several nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.
Henry was preceded in death by his parents, August and Margarethe Rose of Danschendorf, Germany; wife, Sophia; sisters, Minna, Eda, Anni of Germany; Gertrude of Wells; brothers, Martin and Johannes of Germany, Herman, Ernest and Peter of this area.
Henry was a hard working man, had a great love for his family, church and country, enjoyed his friends. His keen memory, Henry loved to tell his stories of old to grandchildren and friends. Even at 100 plus, he had a great need to be busy and he could be found caning chair seats or weaving doilies and enjoyed reminiscing of his building days and tools of the trade. Henry was a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, teacher and friend and his memory will be blessed.
To quote Henry, "I call myself a lucky man— I left my home and came to Welcome, found the land to my liking, fitted in with my trade, so I started and have never left".
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1902 - 2005 (103 years)
