Rohlfsen, Miriam Eloise (1939-2018)
ROHLFSEN, THUESEN, JOHNSEN
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/18/2021 at 17:36:23
Miriam Rohlfsen
February 12, 1939 - February 18, 2018Miriam Rohlfsen, 79, passed away on Sunday morning, February 18, 2018, at the Fountain West Rehabilitation Care Center in West Des Moines.
Miriam Eloise Rohlfsen, a daughter of Harold C and Elenora M (Johnsen) Thuesen, was born on February 12, 1939, in Storm Lake, Iowa. Baptized and confirmed at Nain Lutheran Church in Newell, Iowa, she attended Newell Consolidated School. After graduating in May of 1957, she attended Grand View College for one year. Then, on a "piping hot day" in August 1958, she married Donald L. Rohlfsen from Marcus, Iowa.
The young couple settled in Davenport, Iowa, while Don completed his schooling at Palmer College of Chiropractic. Subsequently, they were blessed with three children: Brett, Sara, and Chad. After Don graduated in 1959, they lived in Sioux Rapids and Urbandale for a short while and in Forest City for twenty-five years before moving to West Des Moines in January 1990.
While in Forest City, Miriam became an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School. She served on the North Iowa Human Services Board - an organization that spearheaded change in care for special needs children in Iowa and elsewhere. Miriam created and operated a variety gift store in Forest City, "The Strawberry Patch," which showcased her unique and innate gift for design. In addition, she shared the ownership of "Youngtown," a children's clothing store. She had a knack for presentation and knew how to mix and match colors, textures, and patterns in fanciful, coordinated ways with professional results, especially with all things red!
A delightful conversationalist, she was always ready to invite her friends and family to sit down and enjoy each other's company over a cup of coffee. Miriam loved her family and friends and treasured spending time with them. In 2001, she met Edward Rand. For the past seventeen years, they have enjoyed daily life together and each other's families, traveling to various locations, attending many theatrical productions, and taking advantage of many fine dining experiences.
Those left to cherish Miriam's memory include her trusted companion, Ed Rand, and his extended family; her daughter, Sara Rohlfsen, and her partner, Ron Simonton, of Urbandale, Iowa; her sons, Dr. Brett Rohlfsen, of Norwalk, Iowa, and Dr. Chad (Stephanie) Rohlfsen, and their children: Claire, Cameron, Ayden, Renn, Harris, and Audrey, of Indianola, Iowa; and her sister-in-law, Phyllis Rohlfsen, of Newell, Iowa; as well as many nieces, nephews, their children; and friends.
Visitation will be this Thursday at 9:30 A.M. at the Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, with funeral services following at 11:00 A.M., Pastor Dave Johnson officiating. Graveside service will follow at the Newell Cemetery on Sunday afternoon. February 25, 2018. In lieu of flowers Memorials in Miriam’s honor may go to her childhood church, Nain Lutheran Church, 441 West Jensen Street, Newell, Iowa, 50568
Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes, Newell, Iowa, 2018.
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