O. Vance Rosell

O. Vance Rosell, age 90, of Decorah, Iowa, died Sunday, November 11, 2007 at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah following a short illness. Funeral Services will be held at 11 A.M. Thursday, November 15, 2007 at Congregational United Church of Christ in Decorah by Rev. Matthew H. Perkins with burial in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah. Friends may call from 4:00 – 6:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 14 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and after 10:00 AM Thursday at the church. Oscar Vance Rosell was born April 7, 1917 in Owatonna, MN, the son of Anstis (Vance) Rosell and Oscar A. Rosell. Vance was educated in the Decorah schools and graduated with the class of 1935. He attended Luther College and enjoyed telling of his days cutting ice from the Upper Iowa River and delivering the ice with a team of horses. Vance married Norma Gilson on July 4, 1940 at the Congregational Parsonage in Decorah. To this union four children were born: Judy, Sondra, Mary and Robert. During the war, Vance was a Civilian Security Guard at the Munitions Ordinance in Burlington, IA. Upon returning to Decorah, he worked at International Harvester and the Fred Carlson Company until his retirement. In the mid 1940s he became a Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 66, which he enjoyed for twelve years. To this day, the Congregational United Church of Christ holds the charter for Troop 66. He was active in his church and, over his lifelong membership, served as Deacon, on the board of trustees, and was financial secretary for many years. He was proud to be the only living member of the Congregational United Church of Christ for whom a stained-glass window is dedicated. Vance’s survivors include his wife, Norma, of the Aase Haugen Home where they made their home the past seven years. He was a caring and devoted husband, dedicated to the well being of his loving wife of 67 years. Also surviving are four children: Judy (Randy) Jones of Rochester, MN, Sondra (Darrell) Pierce of Decorah, IA, Mary Rosell (José) Rodriguez of San Francisco, CA, and Robert (Dr. Allyn McConkie-Rosell) Rosell of Durham, NC; seven grandchildren: Dr. Aaron Blackledge of San Francisco, CA; Scott (Lori) Pierce of Decorah, IA, Cara (Todd) Smith of Thomson, IL, Bartt (Nicole) Pierce of Shoreview, MN, Natasha (Christopher) Barnum of San Francisco, CA, Howard Rosell and Bruce Rosell of Durham, NC; six great-grandchildren: Breanne and Bryce Pierce, Soleil and Hogan Smith, and Dijah and Hayden Pierce; one sister-in-law, Betty Rosell of Cedar Rapids, IA; and three nieces and two nephews. Vance was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Nannette Watrous and Helen Trusler; and one brother: Charles Rosell. Memorials may be directed to: Boy Scouts of America Troop 66, Aase Haugen Home Auxiliary or the Congregational United Church of Christ.