Clarice passed away at the age of 90 on October 27, 2022, at her home in the presence family. She was born in Michigan and raised in Faribault along with her sisters Arline and Mary by her parents Elton Faye and Helen MacMillen. The family moved to St. Paul when Clarice was a teenager. Serendipitously, the family ended up moving into the house right behind her future husband, Robert G. Rosén. After being pen pals during his stint in the Marine’s during Korea, he finally figured out he should marry the girl. They were devoted to each other; best friends and true partners in all they did. Together they raised five children; Lee (Priscilla Virant), Mark (Peter Crook and Mathew Bockus), Robert Jr. (Debbie Prindle), Thomas (Susan), and Robbin Ann. As parents they gave their children wonderful memories of days at the cabin swimming, fishing, and cutting wood (she loved her chainsaw), pheasant hunting trips, birthday celebrations (crazy cake anyone?), water balloon (bucket/hose) fights, backyard ice rinks, and hours long poker games. She made each of her children feel special, loved, and cherished. Clarice’s love of children and family led to them becoming foster parents to special needs children. They cared for many kids over the course of 25 years including Jerry, Jon, Mary Jo, Jeremy, Angela, and Robin. A fierce advocate for all her children, she made sure, whether you were a doctor, social worker, teacher, principal, or pastor, if she thought you were not doing your best for them.
She was a talented artist who not only drew and painted, she taught herself to sew, knit, crochet, refinish furniture, garden, upholster, quilt, and do stained glass. These were not just hobbies but skills she used to clothe her children and furnish and decorate her homes.
When Bob passed 23 yrs. ago, she was devastated but cherished memories of him and their enduring love kept her going as did her kids, grandkids Heather (Richard), Adriane, Cameron (Emily), Austin (Anna), Aaron, Hollyn (Steve), Grant (Liz), great grandkids (Collette, Temperance, Richard, George, Penelope, and Juniper) and dogs Willa and Alex.
She was a kind and caring person with a ready smile and laugh who made lasting friends everywhere she went including the park, clinic, store, repair shop, and pharmacy. Each trip always included a stop just to say hi to a friend.
She taught her family to be thoughtful, brave, loyal, loving, generous, to stand up for themselves and to be themselves. We will miss her showing us her crooked finger, her Christmas cookies, her feistiness, her smile, her laugh, and most of all her hugs.
A gathering of friends and family will be held from 4-7 PM, Wednesday Nov. 9th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights.