Rose Marie Gudvangen

Rose Marie (Moberg) Gudvangen, 85, passed away on November 4, 2024, in Denver, Colorado. Rose was born on January 31, 1939, in Powers Lake, North Dakota, to John and Olga (Aune) Moberg. She grew up in Battleview, North Dakota, and was baptized, confirmed and married at Bethel Lutheran Church.
Rose attended school in Battleview and then McGregor High School, graduating as valedictorian of her class in 1956. She then attended Minot State Teacher's College for a year prior to getting married. She loved to tell stories of growing up on the farm and what it was like in the early years with no indoor plumbing or electricity. Rose and Elton traveled "back home" to North Dakota frequently to share in family gatherings, often taking two or three grandchildren with them.
She married her high school sweetheart, Elton Myron Gudvangen, on June 1, 1957. They lived in Minot, where they had two children, Randall (Randy) Myron and Renae Marie. They moved to Glasgow, Montana for Elton's job and had two more children, John Erick and JoAnn Ellen. Rose and Elton moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1967 and lived there for the next 57 years. Rose started working for Harrison School District Two in 1970. She was a teacher's aide and then longtime building aide at Monterey Elementary School in her neighborhood. She worked at Stratmoor Hills Elementary School as the school secretary for many years before her retirement in 1996.
Rose and Elton were members of Atonement Lutheran Church in Pikes Peak Park until its closure. She was very happily active in the choir and Sunday School, and she helped as a communion steward and Women's Guild member (ALCW) and assisted in many other church tasks. They have many lifelong friends from those years. In later years they joined Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, where she continued to be active in the choir and church issues. She baked many bars and cookies for the coffee time after services. She and Elton were both part of the Lutheran bowling league, where they had many friends.
Rose was happiest making music by singing and playing piano by ear. She fostered the love of music in her four children and loved to hear them sing and play many instruments, most notably accordion during their school-age years. Rose had the kids perform at nursing homes and community events during the 1970s with the list of songs she wrote out by hand for each performance. She attended hundreds of school choir and band performances, and she brought the reception goodies for the college recitals of her children.
Her other great joy was her eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild, also known as her "baby dollies", her favorite term for the grandkids when they were little. She was the best grandma there could be to them all. Her love of family was the top priority in her life. There was never a question in anyone's mind of the depth of her love and commitment to her whole family. She was a daughter, sister, mom, grandma, great-grandma, aunt and friend, and everyone felt lucky to be a part of her life. She dedicated every minute to doing something for others and treating everyone with kindness and love.
Rose was survived by her husband of 67 years, Elton Gudvangen, but he passed 48 days later on December 22, 2024; her children Randy (Brett), Renae (Steve), John, JoAnn (Rodney), and daughter-in-law Judy; her grandchildren Raechel (Alex), Emily (Nick), Laura, Allison, Erick, Quinn (Mayra), Marie, and Evan; great grandson baby Rex; brothers Alden "Shine" (Janet) and Arlo, sisters-in-law Connie, Carol and Goldie; many cousins and beloved nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Rose is preceded in death by her parents John and Olga Moberg, sisters Penny and Sharon, brother Ray, brothers-in-law Jerome, Jerol and Gordy, sisters-in-law Mary Ann and Beverly, and niece Marla. Rose will be loved forever and greatly missed.