Laurence John "Rosie" Rosendahl

Laurence John Rosendahl, aka "Rosie", was born January 1st, 1937, to John F Rosendahl and Frances E. Norsworthy. They lived in a small house on a rented farm in Keith County, Nebraska. Rosie was born in that house before the doctor arrived. He weighed 9 ¾ pounds and was 21 and a half inches long. His mother wrote in his baby book that he was "a big boy and very strong," when he was born. Laurence was the official New Year's baby that year!
Before leaving Keith County and the Brule, Nebraska area, Rosie had his first sister - Karen Jean.
After the birth of Karen, the family moved to the Brady / Gothenburg area where John farmed. Here Rosie received his second little sister, Beverly Ann. She was born in the family room while Laurence, Karen and their father waited in the kitchen. Shortly after being surprised by the sound of a baby's cry, the doctor entered the kitchen and announced they had a new baby sister! Rosie said he was disappointed because he really wanted a puppy.
The family remained in the Gothenburg area, where Laurence attended Kindergarten through eighth grade in a one room, country schoolhouse, about half a mile from their home. Life was good on the farm and Rosie grew to love the livestock they raised. At the tender age of 8 months, he rode behind a team of horses for the first time, sitting on his father's lap. At age five Rosie was given his first puppy - his beloved "Buck". Over the span of his life, Rosie would own and love many dogs, but Buck, the first, would remain his favorite.
Laurence graduated from the one-room schoolhouse and attended High School in Gothenburg. He graduated in May of 1955. Rather than accepting a full music scholarship to attend the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Laurence chose to serve his country by joining the U.S. Navy.
For four years he traveled all of the world, caught up in Cold War maneuvers and adventures. Honorably discharged in 1959 he returned home to Nebraska. In October of that same year, he married the absolute love of his life, Dolores LaVonne Hanson.
Laurence and Dee were married for 53 years. To this union were born four children: three daughters and one son. Tragically, in April of 1963, they laid to rest their second born, Jhana Rae, who was only 20 months old and died in his arms. Years later he remarked "losing a child was something you never get over you just learn to live with it."
Of course, life marched on and Rosie had many, many blessings. For over twenty years he farmed and raised livestock in Nebraska. Then, in 1983, he and Dee moved to Arizona where they spent seventeen years. Nearly all of their grandchildren were born during that time.
In 2000 Laurence and Dee made the decision to move to Wyoming, living up near Laramie Peak on the Double 4 Ranch. They resided there for 13 years and loved living "on the mountain."
In 2016, Dee passed away, and Rosie never stopped missing her.
On October 17th, 2025, Rosie was finally reunited with Dee and Jhana, his parents, a sister, and his beloved grandson. It breaks our hearts to no longer have this "bigger than life" man in our own lives so intelligent, skilled, competent, and enduring.
But the most important thing about Laurence was that because he had godly parents who raised him in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, he had tremendous faith in God and his savior, Jesus Christ. This faith was tried and tested, but found to be genuine, deep, and unwavering. Laurence was a shining example to all his family and friends of a steadfast faith in Jesus.
Rosie was preceded in death by his parents, John and Frances Rosendahl, daughter Jhana Rosendahl, wife Dolores Rosendal, sister Beverly Dimmet, and his grandson Laurence Chance Rosendahl.
Rosie is survived by his children Tracey (Jeff) Keiser, Dellas Rosendahl and Heath Rosendahl.
Grandchildren Jessica (Marion) Rotz, Brittney Rose, Jodee (Dustin) Anderson, Sarah (Wiley) Duff, Johanna Keiser, and Sawyer Thompson.
As well as great grandchildren Lukas and Linkon Rotz, Colton, Peyton, Logan Snitko, and Kaladin. Will Levi and Emilia Anderson. And Anna and Katherine Duff. As well as many nieces and nephews.