Beatrice “Bea” Rosengren age 89 of Alexandria died on Sunday, November 8, 2015 at Grand Arbor. A Funeral Service will be held 11:00 AM on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at Alexandria Covenant Church in Alexandria. Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM at the church on Thursday.
Memorials are preferred to the Lupus Foundation of America. www.lupus.org
OBITUARY
Beatrice Gerda Deloris (nee Johnson) Rosengren was born to Reuben and Gerda (Borg) Johnson at daybreak on March 15, 1926. Born on a vibrant farm in Nora Township, she grew to womanhood there with her sister, Jean, and brothers, Reinhold and Warner. The only language spoken in their home was Swedish and she learned English when school began. Beatrice graduated with honors from Kensington High School in the class of 1944 and had a vocational life including being a nanny, working at Peterson grocery in Farwell, Tubby’s Bakery, McCabe’s camera shop and Coast to Coast Hardware in Alexandria. Many customers gravitated to her cheerful and expert assistance.
When Bea was three years old, six-year-old Victor Rosengren noticed her at church and her ability to color within the lines. Vic asked Bea to color his Sunday school papers because she did such a good job. They were married twenty years later, at the Ben Wade Covenant Church, and were true and faithful lovers for life and a model for all. Vic died just weeks before their fiftieth anniversary and Bea gratefully adored him for her remaining years.
Vic and Bea made their home in Alexandria where she gave birth to twins, Ramona and Roger, and daughters, Janet and Karen. Additional descendants are seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Bea’s love for Jesus was evident to all who knew her. She was a faithful member of Ben Wade Covenant Church and Alexandria Covenant Church after their marriage. She served in countless ways: teaching scores of youngsters, warmly greeting many newcomers, serving in the kitchen and cleaning alongside her husband. It was a joy to hear her sweet and clear soprano voice sing favorite hymns, especially in Swedish. Bea loved life, marveled at all of creation, gardened, sewed, and cooked with enthusiasm.
Bea passed away on Sunday, November 8,, 2015 at Grand Arbor as family gathered around her singing. She was 89 years old.
Bea is survived by daughter,r Ramona Billmark and her children, Kayla Billmark and Kesha (Ryan) Leets; son, Roger (Caryn) Rosengren and their children, Katrina (Matthew) Mouser, Hannah (Ryan) Rooney, Ruth (Ben Durbin) Rosengren, and Sofia (Joel) Pettigrew; daughter, Janet (Gary) Swanson and their son, Seth Swanson; daughter, Karen (Ronald) Kraft, and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sister, several brothers and sisters-in-law, infant grandson, Benjamin Billmark, and husband, Victor Rosengren.
The funeral will be held at 11 AM Thursday, November 12, 2015 at Alexandria Covenant Church, 4005 Dakota St, Alexandria, MN 56308. Visitation will be from 9:30-11 AM at the church. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. Casket bearers include Katrina Mouser, Hannah Rooney, Ruth Rosengren, Sofia Pettigrew, Kayla Billmark, Kesha Leets and Seth Swanson.
Memorials are preferred to the or Lupus Foundation of America (www.lupus.org)
Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.