Rose Kerwin

life story

In memory of our little rosebud

She was loved by many people and will always hold a special place in our hearts.

About Rose

Rose Marie Kerwin passed away in her sleep on January 31, 2022 at Regency Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Nels and Johanna Nelson, her grandparents Sam and Eloise Reynolds, her parents Jesse Nelson and Genevieve Reynolds, her aunt Merna Lutz, her sister Pat Williams, her sister Edna Hensley, her brother Dennis Nelson, her daughter-in-law Pat Stack, her granddaughter Jaime Spracklin, her grandson Dennis Stanford and her husband Quin Kerwin.

She is survived by her sister Eva Nelson Ives, her step daughter Coleen Guzman, her son Jim Huskisson, her daughter-in-law Diane Huskisson, her daughter Beth Huskisson, her son Shawn McDowell, her son David Stanford and her son Storm Kerwin. She has 28 grandkids and 33 great grandkids.

Rose Marie Reynolds was born on September 28, 1943 in Mauston, WI to Genevieve ( Jenny) Elizabeth Reynolds and Jesse Ole Nelson. She then lived on the Reynolds farm through World War II. When Rose was a baby her mother would dress her in white and wrap her in a pink blanket. Great aunt Amy would comment on how Rose looked like a Rosebud with sapphire blue eyes.

In April 1944, Jenny married Willard (Red) Carl Schultz. Since Red was drafted and being sent overseas to Europe, he immediately adopted Rose just in case something happened to him.

In January 1946 Red returned from Europe and soon after he moved the family to Elgin, Ill to be with Jenny's cousin Evelyn and family. They lived in a large duplex on Chicago St for 4 yrs. Red would take the third rail into Chicago to study engineering on the GI bill. Jenny went back to work at Hawley products when Rose was 4. In the spring of 1949 they bought a small 2 bdrm house on Lyle Av. She lived there for 10 yrs. Rose spent her summers at her grandparents Reynolds farm. She had fun swimming in Mauston's pool, getting library books, and working in the White Star grocery store her GMA Eloise and GPA Sam Reynolds owned from 1954 to 1962, where she learned to work with the public while helping her grandparents .

Rose attended kindergarten and 1st grade at Ben Franklin school in Elgin, Illinois. Second thru sixth grade, Rose attended Illinois Park school. While going there, she was in brownies and girl scouts. The first semester of 5th grade, she spent in Mauston grade school. Then she attended Abbott Jr and Elgin high school in Illinois.

Rose overhead something when she was around 14 that made her figure out that the guy that stopped by occasionally was her father (Jesse). It wasn't until a few yrs later that Jesse was more involved in her life.

In April of 1959, Rose met the first love of her life - Bud Huskisson. Within 4 months they moved to Arkansas and was married August 29th, 1959. The following year they moved back to Illinois and Rose had her first child - Jim. Two years later Beth was born.

Rose started working as a waitress at Kramer in Elgin, Illinois and worked there for many yrs. While working there, she met a lifelong friend - Charles Burge. His profession was driving semis.

Rose was able to connect with her sister Eva around 1967. They wrote back and forth for a couple of years before losing connection until about 5 yrs ago.

Rose loved both Red and Jesse as fathers. So they were both part of her life. Jesse had remarried and had a produce stand in both Waterman's corner and Dekalb Illinois where he lived. Jenny had remarried to Bill Melson and lived in Batavia Illinois. Jenny worked in Chicago as an interior decorator. Wallpaper was very popular in that time era. Bill had a boat that Rose rode in many times as well as her children.

Roses family had grown with both step siblings and half siblings. Bill Melson already having his own children; Jesse having 3 more children and Rose having 3 more children of her own - Shawn, David and Storm.

In 1976 Red passed away leaving Rose his house in Elba MN. So she moved her children up there to start a new life one more time. She took a job at the Elba House as a cook and was raising her children on her own.

In 1980, Rose had moved to Rochester and worked at Happy Chef. She worked there until they closed. Then she worked as a waitress for 30 yrs at the Blondell motel/ Crown Lounge restaurant as she retired from working.

Rose had 3 other marriages after the first love of her life. While she was working at Happy Chef, she became friends with one of the regulars there. His name was Gary Sullivan. He introduced Rose to her "soul mate" - Quin Kerwin. In 1979 they started dating and in 1988 they decided to make it official. It was a fairly simple wedding with Gary as the best man, Marsha Wikes the bridesmaid and of course Roses five kids. The "reception" was at Finney's restaurant where they shared their wedding cake and conversation.

During that time era one of Roses favorite pass times was to frequent the Pumphouse truckstop. Her lifelong friend Charles would often meet her there. She often met various family there for meals, or coffee and even had a couple of holiday events there.

In 1992, Coleen had a photo of Quin (her dad) that her mom gave her. She called directory assistance and found Quin's number. They had an instant connection. Quin visited her in Nevada in 1993. Then Rose and Quin visited Coleen in 2002. Coleen visited Rose and Quin a couple of times in the mid 90's.

Around 1993, Quin found a church that he really connect with. It was the Pentecostal church. Soon after that Rose decided to join Quinn in attending church and started taking Sundays off work. The Pentecostal church is Rose's second family. She was very happy to view the church sessions online during the pandemic and during her many hospital visits.

Rose's hobbies were crocheting, knitting, puzzles, gardening and bird watching. She also liked bingo. Rose sold Avon for 15 to 20 years. Rose hosted holiday events and birthdays for many years. She was also known for customizing calendars to each person with birthdays and other family history dates for Christmas gifts.

For Rose, she thought family came first. She would always find a way to help those in need, if it was in her power. Rose was "old school" and unique in many ways and touched many people's hearts in different ways.

memorial service

Memorial Services

April 10, 2022

Rochester Pentecostal Church 3657 Sheffield Ln, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

There will be light lunch afterwards. On Monday April 11, 2022 @ 1130 am @ Oakwood East Cemetery Rose and Quin will be placed in their final resting place. The address is 3681 Viola road NE, Rochester, MN 55906.