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Obituaries from the week of January 30, 2008

Howard Rose, 86
Howard Coburn Rose died on January 25, 2008 in Rochester, Minnesota.  He was born on May 18, 1922 in Wells, Minnesota and graduated from Tracy High School in Tracy, Minnesota in 1940.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, a Masters degree from the University of Colorado in Greeley and a Doctoral degree from the University of North Dakota.
Dr. Rose’s college training was interrupted by service as a combat paratrooper in the United States Army during the Second World War.  During his two and one-half years overseas he was stationed in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Belgium and he was seriously wounded during the Battle of the Bulge.  He was decorated for valor and received two Purple Hearts during his years in the service.
Dr. Rose married his one true love, Clarice Joy Nelson, of Tracy, Minnesota on August 17, 1946.  They had four children together, Terry, Nancy, Steven, and Douglas.
Dr. Rose served as head football coach at St. James (Minnesota) and Alexander Ramsey (Minnesota) high schools where his teams enjoyed great success.  He then assumed administrative posts at Alexander Ramsey and at Capitol View (Minnesota) junior high school.   Dr. Rose subsequently joined the Education Department faculty at St. Olaf College where he achieved the academic rank of tenured Professor, Chaired the Education Department, and was appointed Dean of Academic Affairs.  During his tenure on the St. Olaf faculty he received a grant from the American Council on Education to further his administrative experience at San Fernando Valley State College in Northridge, California.
Dr. Rose served as President of Valley City State College in Valley City, North Dakota from 1970 through 1974.  He subsequently was appointed as a Dean and Graduate Dean at the University of Wisconsin in La Crosse from which he retired.  Dr. Rose and his beloved wife Clarice continued to play an active role in college education for several years after retirement through service as Senior Mentors at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.  They each received Distinguished Service Award medals for their exemplary contributions to the students and faculty of California Lutheran.  Dr. Rose was honored for his lifetime achievements by selection to the “Wall of Fame” at Tracy High School in 2004.  During his later years, Dr. Rose battled Parkinson’s disease with remarkable courage, tenacity, dignity, and grace. 
Dr. Rose was preceded in death by a son, Terry Nelson Rose and by a sister, Dorothy Rose Smith.  He is survived by his wife, Clarie, a daughter, Nancy, two sons, Steven and Douglas, and six grandchildren; Jack, Tom and Katy Kiger; Meghan Rose; and Sarah and Matthew Gibson.
Dr. Rose was most proud of his family.  He and Clarie shared over 61 years of marriage and their steadfast devotion to one another is an inspiration to those around them.  A loving father and grandfather to his children and grandchildren, he found great joy in their successes and provided solace during times of distress.  He considered his marriage to Clarie, his children, and his grandchildren to be his greatest legacy.  He will live forever in their hearts.
A funeral service was conducted on January 28, 2008, at the United Methodist Church in Tracy, Minnesota where Howie and Clarie were married.  Memorials are suggested to Mayo Foundation for Parkinson’s disease research or to California Lutheran University.
Clarice resides in Rochester, Minnesota.  Contact information is: Clarice Rose, Madonna Towers, 4001 19th Avenue Northwest, Rochester, Minnesota  55901 (507) 536-2882
Mahn Family Funeral Home-Rochester Chapel assisted the family.