Adeline Rossow

Adeline Johanna Rossow was born March 9, 1916, to Herman and Minnie (Roeder) Medenwaldt at Hankinson , ND . She attended rural school in Brightwood Township . Adeline was confirmed April 1, 1928, at United Church of Christ Church, Hankinson. She later taught Sunday school and sang in the church choir. Adeline helped her family on their farm, worked for several families in Wahpeton and Hankinson, and the Star Café in Hankinson.

On September 26, 1940, she married Delmer E. Rossow. In their married life they lived on several farms and in 1947 purchased and moved to their own farm southwest of Hankinson where they resided until retirement in November 1975 when they built a new home and moved to Wahpeton, ND. Aside from raising two children, Gene and Arlene, Adeline helped with all farm related tasks such as milking, feeding animals, driving the grain truck, lawn mowing, painting, gardening, running errands and caring for pets. The family pets were always special to Adeline and the pets always loved her most. The family farm was very special to everyone in the family as it was always “home” to everyone.

Adeline and Delmer spent their winters in Scottsdale , AZ for 15 years enjoying the weather and all the new friends they met from all over the U.S. After Delmer passed away in 1986, Adeline spent two more winters there. All their travels brought many fond memories. Adeline was an excellent cook and spent many hours in her kitchen making great meals and treats for her family and guests. The kitchen on the family farm was always her favorite place to cook her great meals.

Adeline’s favorite pastime was tending to her flower gardens. She loved being outdoors in summer tending to her flowers and her vegetable garden. Over the years she enjoyed crocheting afghans, cross-stitching beautiful table clothes and dish towels. Pictures reveals that she used do her sewing projects with the family cat on her shoulder. In recent years she became interested in crossword puzzles which occupied many hours of her time. She also loved to play cards with her family, listen to music, watch her favorite TV shows, ‘The Price is Right’, ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and ‘Lawrence Welk’ and of course playing bingo at the Wahpeton Senior Center. Adeline greatly enjoyed the time she spent with her family and friends.

She lived her life by example of always thinking of others first and foremost, by her teaching that it is always better to give than receive and by providing a spiritual upbringing to her children. Adeline especially enjoyed her two grandchildren, Tammy Torborg (Rossow) and Gary Rossow and enjoyed having them live with her several summers after Delmer passed away. She also adored her great grandchildren, Christina and Aaron Codden, Kaitlyn Rossow, and step great grandchildren, Karissa and Jacob Torborg. Adeline moved to the Leach Home in August, 2007, and in September 2008 moved to the St. Francis Health Campus.

Adeline is survived by her son and daughter-in-law: Gene and Celia Rossow, Breckenridge, MN; her daughter Arlene Rossow, Burnsville, MN; grandchildren and spouses: Tammy and Philip Torborg, Big Lake, MN; Gary and Christie Rossow, Savage, MN; great-grandchildren, Christina and Aaron Codden and Kaitlyn Rossow; step great grandchildren, Karissa and Jacob Torborg; her sister, Sadie Buckhaus, Hankinson, NKD ;sisters-in-law, Florence Kimpston, Apple Valley, CA; Opal O’Bannon, Bakersfield, CA; Doris Speral, Fargo; Mabel Steinhoff, McMinnville, OR; and Gladys Flambard, Dublin, CA; Hazel Rossow, Lidgerwood, ND; nieces, nephews and many dear friends.