A long and wonderful story, set sometimes in impossibly difficult circumstances, began at 8:22 a.m. May 8, 1934, on her own mother’s 31st birthday. That is only the first sentence of a beautiful saga that will perhaps never be told.
Rose Uphus died July 24, 2024, two months, two weeks and two days after having entered her 91st year. Rose was born to Anthony and Loretta Goerdt May 8, 1934, in Bangor Township, Pope County. She married Sylvester Uphus Oct. 16, 1951, at St. Paul’s Parish in Sauk Centre. Rose and Sylvester became the parents of 12 children — eight girls and four boys. For about 40 years, they farmed north of Padua. They were forward-looking, and farming was a rewarding success for them. With her keen political sense about issues of the day, Rose assisted Sylvester’s political endeavors in campaigns for five legislative terms that began in 1981. She was more interested in substance and behind-the-scenes work than in parades and publicity.
Rose traveled widely, often with Sylvester, one or more of her children, or one or more of her sisters. By the early 1980s, she had made extended trips to Soviet Russia and communist China. She was adventurous. Among her favorite places in the world were Portugal, Oaxaca, Mexico, and, of course, her Scottsdale getaways with her beloved sisters. She was up for anything that involved getting on the road. A saying, genuinely attributed her, is, “With gas in the tank you are never lost.” She read widely, beginning early in her life. When she had many children, many chores and seemingly nothing but work to do, she allowed little time for rest or sleep, preferring to read serious literature during the night when everyone else slept.
Rose’s life was one of enduring sacrifice and kindness. Family, both close and extended, as well as non-family acquainted with her, knew Rose to be a gentle and wise woman of great substance and character. These things never changed; they were a deep and genuine part of who she was. Rose was modest about herself and her accomplishments. There was never vanity, conceit or self-importance — not even a hint. Those things would have been obstructions to what she thought to be the reason for being placed on this earth. She knew, always and clearly, that she was what she was in God’s eyes and nothing more.
Rose’s family, for whom she sacrificed for often and greatly, were the pride of her life. She was most happy to be with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rose is survived by her loving children, Deborah (Kevin) Boynton, Thomas (Donna), Sharon Benson, Karen (Michael) Stack, Mark (Barbara), Mary Saxton, Peggy (Mark) Raitor, Cynthia (Arthur) Pearson, Joseph (Kate), Katie and Andrea; her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her sister, Louise. Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Sylvester; son, David; her parents, Anthony and Loretta; and her siblings, Edwina, Evelyn, Ione, Anthony, Roger, Anita, John, Marilyn, Joe, Julian, Ruth Ann and Barbara.
In lieu of flowers, Rose’s family prefers memorials in Rose’s memory to Holy Family School and CentraCare Hospice, both of Sauk Centre. Visitation and funeral were at Our Lady of the Angels Church, Sauk Centre. Visitation was July 29 and July 30 before Mass. Funeral was July 30.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.
