Rose Celia Kellenberger
1897 - 1995 (97 years)
Great Grandmother Rose "In the sweet, by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore". The words of this song still bring comfort to my Great Grandma, Rose Moser. Even though she is 96 years old, confined to a rest home and no longer able to see, she still possesses a hope of meeting her loved ones in heaven. Grandma Rose is not a woman of fame or renown, but her life is typical of our forefathers. Rose Kellenberger married John Moser December 20th, 1916 in Bern, Kansas. On January 1, 1918 a baby boy, John Milford was born. Baby John died shortly after birth. Grandma Rose mourned the loss of her first born. Shortly thereafter they moved to a farm northeast of Larchwood. In the next eight years Grandma Rose was blessed with six children. One hot July day the children entertained themselves playing with water from a wooden stock tank near the windmill. Fourteen month old Donald found himself a gallon pail to stand on in order to reach the water in the tank. The other chi1dren were occupied with their play and garden nearby. They missed him and started looking for him and found baby Donald in the water. Seven year old Mariann took the child -From the tank to the house, where Grandma Rose was busy. Grandma Rose emitted a loud wail as she was handed her lifeless child. The family grieved. Grandpa John built the rough box to hold the tiny casket. The family continued to grow, and in another eight years five more children were added. Grandpa John began to rely on the help of his oldest son John Nicholes now thirteen years of age. One noon young Johnny was stricken with a severe stomach ache. The pain lasted several hours, and then Johnny felt some better. It was decided to take him to the doctor In Luverne, MN. The doctor operated, and found that Johnny's appendix had ruptured. His parents were informed that infection had set in, and that Johnny wouldn't live. Johnny suffered for three or four days. One morning at 3:OO Johnny called Grandma Rose to come over to his bed and said, "Mom I want to kiss you good-by. I'm going to heaven to play with the angels'. With that he died. Three years later the last child joined the family. The family was complete with thirteen children. Yet the circle had been broken with the loss of three sons. In 1940 Grandpa John didn't feel very well. It was in October, corn picking time. Grandpa John was stricken with bad stomach cramps. The pain was so severe he clawed grooves in the plaster wall with his fingers. Grandma Rose became frantic. Three new doctors had recently set up practice in Rock Rapids. Grandma Rose called all three and pleaded with them to hurry to the aid of her husband. The first Doctor to arrive took Grandpa back to town. They operated and found his appendix had ruptured. In the ten years since young Johnny had died, new procedures and medications had been discovered. But despite drainage tubes and sulfa Grandpa's conditions worsened. Breathing became difficult and the Doctor told the family chances of survival were slim. After a visit and prayer from a church minister Grandpa took a turn for the better. He recuperated and after many weeks returned home. In 1944 the oldest living son. Harry, was drafted into the army on his 19th birthday. After training he was sent to the island of Luzon in the Philippine. On Memorial Day 1945 Grandma Rose received the message that Harry had been killed by sniper fire on May 13th, over two weeks before the word of his death was received. A memorial service was held a few weeks later with only Harry's picture to remember him by. In Sept. 1948 Harry's body was laid to rest here. How did Grandma Rose overcome, it was her strong faith that God was in command and that some day in the "sweet by and by" she will meet her loved ones in a joyful reunion never to part again.
Rose Kellenberger - History
Rose Kellenberger - History written by one of her great-granddaughters
| File name | Great Grandmother Rose.txt |
| File Size | 3.82k |
| Linked to | Rose Celia Kellenberger |