Dorothy V. Rosenwinkel

Dorothy Viola Rosenwinkel (nee Bohrer) was born in Pinckneyville, Illinois, on January 5, 1928. When she was two years old, the family moved to Murphysboro, Illinois where she graduated from Murphysboro High School in 1945. She then went on to St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas where she earned an Associate Arts degree in Teacher Education in 1947. She subsequently worked as an elementary teacher for Lutheran schools in a variety of locations, including in Howard Lake, MN, St. Louis, MO, as well as at Central Lutheran School/St. Stephanus in St. Paul, where she first met her future husband, Howard Rosenwinkel. On July 5,1952, after his honorable discharge from the Korean War, they were married in Fargo, ND, and she ended her professional teaching career to raise their four children. She followed Howard’s career as an educator to Davenport, IA, Little Falls, MN, Woodbury, MN, and finally Anoka, MN where she supported Howard as he became the founder and first director of the Anoka Technical Education Center (now Anoka Technical College), a point of pride for her for the remainder of her life. When the children were old enough, Dorothy kept busy with work and volunteer opportunities, most notably with the Mercy Hospital (Coon Rapids, MN) Auxiliary where she logged in nearly 10,000 hours at the gift shop for more than 30 years. Outgoing, spirited, and gregarious, she easily made friends with many people, with a great memory for birthdays and anniversaries. She and Howard were also very generous, supporting many different religious and other charities throughout their lives. Dorothy was an active member of many Lutheran (LCMS) congregations, most notably Eastern Heights Lutheran. St. Paul; Mount Olive, Anoka; Beautiful Savior, New Hope; and most recently King of Kings, Roseville. In later years, she was companion with Herbert Nygren, with whom she shared a residence at Amira in Roseville.

Preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Howard Rosenwinkel; parents, Rev. Erhard and Lillie Bohrer; sisters, Eunice, Helen, Mary; brother, John; and great grandson, Howie Nachtigall.

She is survived by four children, Jean (Don) Rohrer, Mark (Elizabeth) Rosenwinkel, Jill (Rev. James) Gimbel, and Kim (Ed) Krum; grandchildren, Ryan, Jeremy, Andy, Abby, Joanna, Rosaleen, Isabel, Noel; and great grandchildren, Miriam, Lila, Willa, Holden, Silas, Ingrid, Wren, Lionheart, Juniper, Zipporah, Ophelia.

Some random fun facts about Dorothy:

• - She worked at a movie theatre in Murphysboro, Il, she knew practically every film and film star between the years 1941-45.
• - She made it a point to know everyone’s birthday and anniversary, how many kids they had, etc.
• - Her father was a pastor who also taught at the Lutheran school she attended. She once escaped punishment from her father at school by jumping out of the window.
• - She had scarlet fever when she was a girl, leaving her nearly deaf in one ear. However, her hearing in the good ear was quite acute, as noted by many an unsuspecting child, planning some mischievous high jinx.
• - She loved and collected Beanie Babies, frequently giving them out for presents.
• - After her husband, Howard’s death, she enjoyed taking trips with Herb Nygren, to his vacation homes Florida and Shell Lake, WI. They also enjoyed having devotions singing together, especially the song, “Precious Lord.”
• - She loved handicrafts: sewing, knitting, cross-stitch, quilting, etc. She was also an avid jigsaw and crossword puzzler, doing the New York Times crossword every morning.
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Memorial Service 11 AM Friday, September 12 at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 2330 Dale Street North, Roseville, MN 55113.

Visitation from 10 - 11 AM at the church.

Memorials are preferred to: Rosenwinkel Memorial Scholarship Fund, Anoka Technical College, 1355 W. Hwy.10, Anoka, MN 55303 or King of Kings Lutheran Church.

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