DeWayne Louis Rosell

DeWayne Louis Rosell, aged 97 years, of Rose City, Minnesota, passed away on July 28, 2024, in Alexandria.

 Born on August 15, 1926, DeWayne was one of seven children born to the late Annie and Louis Rosell. He was born less than a mile from the farm where he lived for the past 71 years. DeWayne (or “Bud”, as he was known to his siblings) lived his entire life within a few square miles of Rose City.

 DeWayne married Donna Mae Greene, a country schoolteacher, in 1949. She was the love of his life throughout nearly 60 years of marriage until Donna’s passing in 2008. DeWayne continued to honor Donna’s life for the rest of his life: visiting the cemetery almost daily, reading her 40+ years of diaries, reviewing her many photo albums, and listening daily to Donna’s recording of the entire New Testament on cassette tapes. DeWayne was a faithful and loving husband to the end.

 He was also a beloved father and grandfather. “Grandpa TicTac” always carried in his shirt pocket TicTac breath mints for the grand- or greatgrandchildren, plus many church and neighbor kids—all of whom brought Grandpa much joy.

 He was an artist, although he never claimed that title. DeWayne was amazingly creative especially with wood and metal, leaving dozens of completed “projects” both large and small. He created a large sign that hangs still on an old threshing machine strategically placed on his property next to the highway. For many years, passersby have seen there the Bible verse, “Prepare to meet thy God!” DeWayne was spiritually prepared and wished us all to be. His preparations for this obituary included these heartfelt words:

" To all my friends and relatives: I hope you have accepted Jesus as your Personal Savior so I can meet you in Heaven. I know this sounds a little out of order, but I don’t want anyone to go to Hell, where there’s burning forever and ever. 

 God bless you. And thanks to everyone for being so good to me. 

 Love, and Prepare to Meet Thy God

- DeWayne"

 What mattered most to DeWayne was his commitment to God through faith in Jesus. This was represented in words and deeds. He believed in rules for Christian living, and then consistently lived by them. That was reflected even in his kindly treatment of farm animals and a tender heart for all that lives.

 Among DeWayne’s many wonderful traits were his consistent practices of absolute honesty and extravagant generosity. Over the years, he quietly and humbly blessed his family, many neighbors and friends with financial assistance along with other generous gifts, including that of his time. DeWayne gave of his time and talent especially to the Rose City Free Church and its Adult Fellowship, the Alexandria Vintage Car Club (as a founding member), a regional Vintage Tractor Club, the Rose City Threshing Festival, and the Runestone Electric Cooperative as a longtime board member.

 A few years before Donna died, DeWayne wrote his one and only musical composition. He and Donna recorded it, with her autoharp accompaniment. The title was, “Homesick for Heaven.” DeWayne is no longer “homesick,” having now gone to be reunited with his beloved, with many family members and friends, and with Jesus.

 DeWayne was preceded in death by his parents, Annie and Louis Rosell, and wife, Donna Mae Rosell; siblings Mabel Oberg, Alden Rosell, Tilford Rosell, Viola Hultstrand, and Eldora Rosell; son-in-law Bob Roub; parents-in-law Emil and Hannah Greene; many siblings-in-law and other beloved family and friends. He is survived by his brother Eldridge Rosell and sisters-in-law Arlene (Eldridge) Rosell and Elrene (Alden) Rosell; children Jacqueline Roub, Bonnie Utter, Penny Giesbrecht, Tarris Rosell, and Barry Rosell; children-in-law Tim Giesbrecht, Ruth Rosell, and Peggy Rosell; 18 grandchildren, 9 grandchildren-in-law, and 19 greatgrandchildren; many nieces and nephews, cousins, and other beloved family and friends.

 Visitation will be at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria, Minnesota on Friday, August 2 from 4:00-7:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held at Rose City Evangelical Free Church in Rose City on Saturday, August 3 at 11:00 AM, with Pastors Eric Johnson and Jim Brown officiating. A service of committal with burial will follow at the Rose City Free Church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Rose City Evangelical Free Church in DeWayne’s honor.