ROSE, RICHARD H.
Madison/Chippewa Falls — Rose, Richard “Dick” H., loving Father and Grandfather, age 91, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 14, 2015.
In his words, he was a “working man” since the age of 9. Dick worked on several farms in the New Glarus area during his childhood until finally running a farm with his father, at the age of 14. Dick moved to Brodhead when he began high school, attending school during the day and working as a cook all night at a local restaurant. It was there that Dick accepted a job on a maintenance crew with the Milwaukee Railroad. After working his way to Washington State repairing tracks, he enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17. During Navy induction, a Marine Sergeant randomly selected several men for the Marines — Dick being one.
Military Service: April 13, 1941 – December 27, 1945.
First Raider Battalion, First Provisional Marine Brigade, 6th Marine Division, C “Charlie” Company, Edson’s Raiders, achieving the rank of Corporal. Life member of the Marine Raider Association.
Semper Fidelis
After the war, Dick returned to the Midwest in search of his sister, Bonnie, who was adopted after their mother’s death. Dick found her in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Bonnie’s best friend, Harriet Forster, became the love of his life. Dick and Harriet were married February 16, 1947 and enjoyed 57 wonderful years of marriage.
Dick had many positions with Standard Oil, including semi-truck driving, service station, and bulk plant business. At age 45 he started working at Uniroyal Tire Factory in Eau Claire until his retirement.
Dick built a home on Lake Wissota in Chippewa Falls where the family lived for 50 years. He loved fishing, bird watching, collecting coins, antiques, beer cans, and teasing the grandkids. He relished and enjoyed time with family and special friends Pat and LeeAnn Yunke, Jeff and Sara, and Myron Anderson. Dick is preceded in death by his wife and beloved “little flower” Harriet Rose in 2004. Parents Marion and Lucinda (Wilk) Rose, stepmother Elizabeth Rose, sister Bonnie Morris, brothers Chester and Arnold Rose. He is survived by his daughter Lucinda “Cindy” Woodford, grandchildren Sam (Jen) Woodford, Justine (Amir) Abdelrahmen, Elizabeth (Kris) Bilek, great-grandchildren Zach, Laney, and Aiya. Brother Norman (Betty) Rose, nephews Michael and Rick Rose, nieces Coral Rose and Karen Miller. Sisters Velma, Mabel, Peggy and Marcella. Sister-in-law Ruth (Marvin) Mitshulis.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 18, with visitation one hour prior to the service at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 110 N. Whitney Way, Madison. Burial with full military honors will take place at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 19 at Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire, 1500 Buffington Drive.