Gene Rossow

Gene D. Rossow, 68, Breckenridge, MN, formerly of Hankinson, ND passed away on Monday August 13, 2012 at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo. Funeral services will be on Friday, August 17, at 10:30 AM at Evergreen United Methodist Church, Wahpeton, ND with Pastor Jenny Hallenbeck officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 8 pm, with a prayer service at 7 pm, at Willow Creek Chapel, Wahpeton. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Wahpeton. Vertin-Munson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Gene Delmer Rossow was born May 26, 1944 to Delmer and Adeline (Medenwaldt) Rossow in Breckenridge, MN. He attended rural school in Elma Township and graduated from New Effington High School, SD in 1962. Gene was confirmed in the spring of 1958 at United Church of Christ in Hankinson. He later attended North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton studying automotive repair while farming with his father, Delmer. He enjoyed hunting, fishing with his Dad, and snowmobiling. He lived at the farm for a total of 57 years. The week prior to his passing he stopped by the farm one last time and also visited his close neighbor friends the Arndts.

On November 7th, 1965, he married Celia M. Wanek at the same church he was confirmed in. In their married life they lived on the farm southwest of Hankinson where Gene was raised since he was four years old. Over the years he and Celia attended many social events where they would kick up their heels on the dance floor. Gene and Celia took over the farm from his parents in 1975 where they resided until retirement in October 2005 when they built a new home and moved to Breckenridge. Together they raised two children, Tammy and Gary. Gene enjoyed helping his neighbors and family repair many different items over the years. He also raised livestock and enjoyed the many pets he had in his life time. The family pets were always special to Gene and they often would patiently wait on the front steps for him to return from the field. The family farm was very special to everyone in the family as it was always "home" to everyone.

Gene and Celia spent their winters around the area after retirement and liked to visit with old friends and family often staying up late playing cards or dominoes. Gene was an excellent mechanic, welder, craftsman, outdoorsman, and spent many hours helping others with whatever he could. Gene enjoyed fishing with his wife and his son and liked to donate his time and the use of his donut making machine to raise money for youth events at his church. Gene's shop at the family farm was not only for fixing equipment but for building many creative things. It was also headquarters for solving worldly problems with neighbors and friends as well as serve as the local meat processing plant for many families, where they spent endless hours with each other working away and visiting.

After retirement, Gene's favorite pastime was spent with the Burger King Bandits drinking coffee every morning when he was not fishing. He also enjoyed visiting with people and combining for his friend Bruce Sturgess as well as telling stories and offering advice on how to fix things.

Gene was a good steward of the land and treated others how he cared to be treated. The term servant leader comes to mind when the family thinks of Gene. He was soft spoken and was willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. The old adage "Pain instructs" is an example of how he taught his children to think their way through things rather than just do it for them. Gene enjoyed his six grandchildren; Christina and Aaron Codden, Karissa and Jacob Torborg, and Kaitlyn and Madelyn Rossow.

Gene is survived by his wife: Celia Rossow, Breckenridge, MN; his daughter Tammy (Phil) Torborg, Big Lake, MN; his son Gary (Christie) Rossow, Savage, MN; his grandchildren: Christina and Aaron Codden, Karissa and Jacob Torborg, Kaitlyn and Madelyn Rossow; his faithful sister Arlene Rossow, Burnsville, MN; five sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law, Elaine (Dallas) Rossow, Breckenridge, MN; Lucille Korth, Breckenridge, MN; John (Sue) Wanek, Breckenridge, MN; Emily (Peder)Bruvold, Wahpeton, ND; Evelyn (Arlen) Spear, Fairmount, ND; Judy Wanek, Wahpeton; nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents Delmer and Adeline Rossow. His brothers-in-law, Cecil Wanek, Leonard (Murial) Wanek, Wilbert Korth, and his sister-in-law, Cicily Wanek.