Erma Rosenow

Erma Diane Rosenow (‘Diane’) passed away peacefully on May 5, 2024, in Litchfield, Minnesota at the age of 86. Her husband and her children were able to say their last goodbyes and express their love to her in her final hours.

Diane was born to Ralph and Geraldine (nee Jackson) Grussendorf on December 21, 1937, in Buffalo Lake, MN. Diane and her older brother Gary spent many of their early years on Wood Lake near Grantsburg, WI at the home of relatives Elma (‘Allie’) and Ed Dahlberg. There, they learned to swim, fish, row a boat, and stay out of trouble…most of the time. They also helped with the running of the Dahlberg’s Wood Lake cabin resort - Pine Cove Cabins, and assisted during the summer months at the nearby Luther Point Bible Camp. Diane also learned to play the church organ at Zion Lutheran Church in Trade Lake, WI.

Through brother Gary, Diane was introduced to Lyle J. Olson (of Cushing, WI) purportedly at the West Sweden dance hall. Diane and Lyle were married in 1955 and made their home in St. Croix Falls, WI; they had two boys – Michael and Bruce. In 1966 Diane married Gerald W. Simonson (of Embarrass, MN) and they had a son Philip and a daughter Karen; along with Mike and Bruce, they made their home in Edina, MN.

In 1985, she married Robert (‘Bob’) A. Rosenow (of Litchfield, MN), and they made their home in Forest City, MN - later acquiring a cabin on a high bluff overlooking Lake Washington (Dassel, MN). Together they worked on expanding the size of their Lake Washington home over the years, and they shared many wonderful years together there on the lake.

Diane graduated from Grantsburg High School and attended college at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls. Later in life, she attended classes at Golden Valley Lutheran College, and then finally at the University of Minnesota – where in 1976 she graduated with a B.A. degree in History. Diane was a remarkable researcher and genealogist. She was able to trace her family lineage back to the 1400’s (her kids would sometimes ask her if she had found any Vikings yet) and compiled many detailed volumes of documented records, photos, ship logs and manifests, and civil war journals. She made several trips to Scandinavia to connect with many ‘found’ relatives there.

Diane’s other passions included living on a lake, Scotty dogs, quilting, and cooking. Over the years, she was fortunate to have lived on Wood Lake, Lake Minnewashta, and Lake Washington. She was accompanied by her beloved Sottish Terriers - Charlie, Duchess, and Ruby. Diane won numerous ribbons from county fairs for her quilts. And she always made a great French toast when the kids and grandkids came out to fish the lake in the early hours with husband Bob.

In the mid 2000’s, Diane survived / was cured of her pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

Diane is survived by her husband, Bob Rosenow of Litchfield, MN; her four children: Michael (Becky) Olson of Chanhassen, MN; Bruce (Holly) Olson of Chanhassen, MN; Philip Simonson of San Antonio, FL; and Karen Simonson of Edina, MN; her four step children: Dan (Linda) Rosenow of Annandale, MN; Tammy (Don) Renne of Duluth, MN; Dana (Chuck) Pautsch of Arlington, MN; and Darla Rosenow of Litchfield, MN; and many wonderful grandchildren and great grandchildren, cousins, nephews and nieces.

She is preceded in death by her parents Ralph Grussendorf and Geraldine Anderson, her ‘foster’ parents Allie and Ed Dahlberg; her brother Gary Grussendorf, her first husband Lyle Olson; and her

stepdaughter Heidi Rosenow. We would be remiss to not mention here her three Scottish Terriers who undoubtedly have already greeted her in heaven – Charlie, Duchess, and Ruby.

As Diane reminded us at numerous occasions and in lieu of a formal funeral, she wanted her children to simply enjoy a festive lobster dinner ‘on her’ after she passed - which has occurred. The children are however planning a ‘life celebration’ gathering at Half Bushel Brewing (201 N. Sibley Ave) in downtown Litchfield, MN on Saturday, June 15 (11AM – 2PM). All who knew Diane are very welcome to drop in and share stories.

Diane embraced with a vigor the many aspects of life that interested her. She was equally comfortable whether in a canoe going down the Crow River during the spring run-off with husband Bob and Bob’s mother Marietta, being a dress model at a local fashion show, or in a Halloween haunted house playing Mrs. Bates.

She will be missed by us all.