Rosella Ebenhoh, lifelong resident of Prior Lake, passed away October 10, 2019 at the age of 97. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 11:00 AM with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Prior Lake. Pastor John Kallio will preside, and Rosella will be laid to rest at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Prior Lake.
On November 2, 1921, Rosella Lilly Luedke was born to parents Adolph & Anna (Fehlandt) Luedke. She was the youngest of eight and loved growing up on the family farm in Prior Lake. Rosella developed a strong work ethic on the farm. She helped with chores, tended to the animals and learned to cook and bake.
It wasn’t until years later that Rosella met the love of her life. She was at the Rendezvous , a little bar on the lake, when she saw a handsome man across the bar. Rosella knew she had to find out who he was. It was Sylvester “Les” Ebenhoh. Rosella and Les were immediately drawn to each other. Rosella told him their relationship would never last; because he was Catholic, and she was Lutheran. One day Les showed up with a Bible in his hand and asked if Rosella’s church had any classes on how to become a Lutheran. Shortly after he completed the classes, Les & Rosella exchanged wedding vows at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Their marriage was blessed with many happy years and two loving daughters. As a family, they enjoyed fishing. They spent many summer evenings enjoying picnic dinners and fishing along the shores of Prior Lake. They also had a lovely hobby farm where they grew strawberries, raspberries and vegetables. While the girls were little, Rosella was a homemaker. She was known for her jams, cream puffs, rhubarb torte and chocolate cake. Rosella was a wonderful baker and always made special cakes for family birthdays.
Once the girls were older, Rosella began working outside the home again. She had a strong work ethic and continued working into her 80’s. Before she was married, she worked at Northrop King and the Airport. She spent many years as the head cook at the Prior Lake High School and later at Prior Manor. After she retired from full-time work, she kept a part-time job at the local McDonalds.
When Rosella wasn’t working (which was rare), she enjoyed baking, canning, running errands with Les and spending time with her family. Rosella was an animal lover and always wanted a dog by her side. She always had a strong faith and when things got tough, she would say, “this too shall pass”. Rosella loved the company of the women at church and was involved in the quilting group for several years. Rosella enjoyed the simple things in life. Not having any sons, she especially loved her grandsons. She never wanted anyone to fuss over her or spoil her with gifts. In later years, she was perfectly content watching the deer outside, talking with friends on the phone and spending quiet nights at home looking through cook books or reading the weekly Woman’s World Magazine .
Rosella lived nearly her entire life within half of a mile from where she was born. Over the years she saw many things: inventions like the automobile, electricity, and television. Rosella was always eager to change with the times and was grateful to be a part of this wonderful world.
She will be remembered always by her daughters, Elece (Daniel) Shoquist and Meridee (Duane) Crocker; grandsons, Breagan and Colton Shoquist; other loving relatives and friends. Rosella was greeted in Heaven by her husband, Sylvester “Les” Ebenhoh; two infant sons; parents, Adolph & Anna Luedke; siblings, Ida, Alma, Villa, Emma, Fred, John & Adolph.
