Rose I. Nissen, age 90, of Moorhead, Minnesota, formerly Gary, Minnesota, died Saturday, September 22nd, 2007, in Innovis Hospital, Fargo, North Dakota.

Rose Irene Sorensen was born February 3rd, 1917, the daughter of Maurinius and Louise (Ericksen) Sorensen in Wagner, South Dakota. Rose grew up near Revenia, South Dakota, where she attended country school. As a young lady, she moved with her family to the Gary community. She was employed by Dunn and Bradstreet in Fargo, and later at the Tuberculosis Sanitarium in Crookston, Minnesota. On December 26th, 1942, Rose was united in marriage to Martin Nissen. The couple farmed with her parents and also lived in the Gary and Fertile Minnesota communities. They managed the Bear Park Coop Store before purchasing the Waukon Store in 1949, which they operated until 1959. They then moved into Gary and opened Nissen Plumbing and Heating.

In late 1960, Rose moved to Fargo where she was employed by Herbst Department Store as a salad chef in their cafeteria for a few years. She then worked at St. Luke's Hospital as the Assistant Manager of the Hospitality Shop until the mid 1980's when she retired. For the past 22 years, Rose had resided at Park View Terrace in Moorhead where she had been a floor monitor.

Rose was a member of St. Petri Lutheran Church, rural Gary and was active in ladies' aid. Rose's hobbies included quilting, sewing, doing crossword puzzles and baking. She also had a love for nature which was evident when she tended her flowers.

Rose is survived by two daughters, Lois (Vernon) Hovelson of Gary, MN and JoAnn (Morlen) Howard of Bismarck, ND; a sister, Alice Merkens of Ada, MN; two brothers, Henry of Dilworth, MN and Vernon (Joyce) Kirkland, WA; three grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, one brother, one sister, one granddaughter and one great-great granddaughter.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, September 28th at 11:00 AM in Sundal Lutheran Church, rural Fertile, Minnesota. Visitation will be Thursday, from 5 PM to 7 PM with a Prayer Service at 7 PM in the Anderson Funeral Home, Twin Valley. Visitation will also be one hour before services at the church on Friday. Officiating will be Pastor Kelly Ahola with Julia Mae Gulllingsrud serving as organist and Monica Winter serving as vocalist. Pallbearers will be Ron Sorensen, Terry Gullingsrud, Don Gullingsrud, Paul Gullingsrud, Marvin Merkens, Jerry Merkens, Kevin Merkens and Jaron Howard.

Interment will be in Sundal Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fertile, Minneosta.