Rose Odegaard celebrates 100 years

100 years ago on May 8, 1917, Rose was born to Albert and Ida Johnson of Gonvick. On Saturday, May 6, 2017 her family had a 100th birthday party at the Samhold Lutheran Church in Gonvick. Many friends, neighbors and family came from New York, Florida and points in between to help her celebrate. Family is one of the most important things to Rosie and she was able to see all of her family at once.

Rose’s father Albert came from Sweden when he was eighteen years old. He lived in Wisconsin with an uncle before moving to Gonvick. That is where he met his future wife Ida. She was the daughter of Andrew and Mathilda Nelson of Gonvick.

Albert had several jobs including building the railroad lines, being a mechanic and working for the Clearwater County Highway Department. He and David Allen owned a garage which was one of the first business places formed in Gonvick after the named was changed from Wildwood. The building originally owned by Steffen Winden was sold on November 25, 1919 to David and Albert for the purchase price of $200.00. 

When he came home covered in grease or dirt from work he would give all of his children big hugs. Ida would scold him as then their clothing would be as bad as his. 

The first light plant generator was built by David Allen and Albert Johnson in 1917 for electricity in Gonvick. Albert and his brother Charley Johnson worked on clearing the land for the Soo Line railroad to come through.

In his free time Albert enjoyed carving wood. He made many sleighs with people and horses attached. Rose’s mother Ida stayed at home taking care of their four children and milking the cow twice a day. She cooked and cleaned for the family.

Rose had a sister Evelyn who died at an early age when she was 11 and Rose was 12 in 1927. She also had two brothers Benny and Arnie. They enjoyed living in town as they would play all sorts of games. The Lost River was just north of their house and they would go down there to fish and swim. In the winter they would skate on the ice. 

Rose Johnson graduated from Gonvick High School in 1936. She was a basketball player along with her other friends. After she finished high school Rose went to beauty school in Fargo. She started a beauty shop but after her marriage is was difficult for her to keep the shop.

Rose was united in marriage to Verner Odegaard who was of Norwegian ancestry as opposed to her Swedish ancestry. To this union four children were born; JoAnn, Arvin, Dennis and Debbie. They purchased a home next to her parents in Gonvick. 

Rose would help her mother with inside and outside work. They would cook, bake and garden. Those are three things Rosie has enjoyed doing all her life. She is an excellent cook and loved to garden when she was living in her home in Gonvick. She made soups, roasts, and desserts of all kinds. She enjoyed playing cards and putting puzzles together. Her mother passed away when she was 91 and she did a lot for her father. She made goodies for him as he lived next door until he passed away when he was 105.

You could not get away after stopping to visit without some of her goodies and coffee. 

She enjoyed listening to music and had a lot of Daniel O’Donnell’s songs. She was fortunate to be able to attend a few of his concerts and have her picture taken with the Irish singer.

She is now a resident of the Essentia Health Living Center in Fosston. Her eye sight is failing but her spirit and memory are the best.