LOSCHEN, Rosie Grace

Rosie Grace Loschen, 85 years of age from Wilcox Nebraska died on Nov. 26, 2011 at her home near Wilcox. Her death followed a valiant fight to recover from injuries incurred as a result of a traffic accident that claimed her husband of nearly 63 years on May 12th of this year. In the last 5 weeks, Rosie faced courageously the cancer that claimed her life Saturday. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7,8. Rosie was born September 26, 1926; on a farm northeast of Macon, Nebraska to Frank and Katie (Pollmann) Rohnke. The Rev. Carl Weber, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Macon Nebraska, baptized her on Oct. 31, 1926. and Rev. W. Borchardt also of Zion, confirmed her on May 5, 1940. Rosie attended Franklin County Rural School District number 75 also known as Lonesome Lane, through 8th grade. She then attended Franklin High School. She graduated in 1944, having passed normal training and soon after, passed the state teacher exams which qualified her to teach country school. Rosie started teaching in a school two miles north of Franklin and then taught two more years at District 25 located three miles north of Macon. Rosie married Harold John Loschen on June 6, 1948 at Zion Lutheran Church. They started their married life on the farm where Harold had lived since the spring of 1936 and where they continued to reside until death. Rosie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She loved the Lord and spent many hours studying the scriptures and enjoying hymns and song. She spent her life on the farm working beside her husband, living and teaching her faith, and encouraging life long learning in all aspects of life. She was the family historian, an avid gardener, bird watcher and exceptional cook. She frequently reminded her grand-children to save their coins and get a good education. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Wilcox, where she had been active in the choir and Lutheran Women's Missionary League. She had faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher and Bible Study leader throughout much of her life. Rosie was preceded in death by her husband Harold J. Loschen, parents Frank and Katie (Pollman) Rohnke, mother and father-in-law- John and Pauline (Schnuerle) Loschen brothers: Weert Frerichs, John Frerichs, Gustav Rohnke, Ede Rohnke, Albert Rohnke, sisters: Aaje Maria Frerichs, Marie Wilhelmina Frerichs, Katie Rohnke Schluntz, brother-in-law Herman Frerichs and infant George Loschen, sisters-in-law: Janice Rohnke, Maurine Frerichs, and Delphine Anderson Loschen, and son-in-law Michael Fritson. Rosie is survived by her children, Judy Turner and husband Richard of Holdrege, Marilyn Hays and husband Robert of Hildreth, Naomi Loschen Marco and husband Vince of Fort Collins, CO and Steven Loschen and wife Cari (Blecha) of Wilcox; grandchildren, Mark Fritson and wife Christa, Matthew Fritson and wife Jennifer, Mary Fritson Olson and husband Michael. Timothy Hays and wife Jennifer, Andrea Hays, James Hays and wife Jennifer, Susan Hays Meier and husband Daniel and John Hays. Aria Marco, Amy Marco and Aidan Marco, John Loschen, Benjamin Loschen and Hallie Loschen; great grandchildren: Clayton Fritson, Caden Fritson, Carson Fritson, Mya Grace Fritson, Sara (Fritson) Wood, William Fritson, Spencer Hays, Abigail Hays, Mackinze Hays, Katelyn Hays, and Addison Hays. A sister, Adeline Frerichs, a brother Richard Rohnke and his wife Almetta, brothers-in-laws Clarence Schluntz and Elmer Loschen and his wife Sally. Sisters-in-laws Irene Frerichs, Wanda Rohnke, and Susan Rohnke and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Wilcox with Rev. Mel Mertens officiating. Burial will be in the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Jelden-Craig Funeral Home in Hildreth on Monday from 5-7 p.m. with the family present.